Groom Lake F16

www.lazygranch.com...

While parked in the area where most people start the Tikaboo hike, the USAF decided to provide an airshow. Seen was a KC-10, several F-22, and a two seater F16. Photos of the other aircraft will be posted eventually, but concentrate of the F-16 as shown on the page linked above. Note the lack of markings on it other than the tail number. Provided on the page is the f16.net website link indicating the location of the plane is unknown. Scramble.nl does indicate the plane is based at Groom Lake, but no evidence provided.

Let's assume this plane is one of the Groom Lake F-16s. Clearly the plane is not strictly for defense. The plane is all "podded up." NACTS pods? Who knows.

The image is at 100%, hence the noise in the dark areas.

www.fightercontrol.co.uk...


This post says the plane participated in a Nellis flag in 2010. Unfortunately the details on markings are limited. However it shouldn't be hard to find photos from 2010.

In 2010, it was based at Hill AFB in the 388 OG 4FS.

388th Operations Group (388 OG) 4th Fighter Squadron (4 FS) The squadron conducts flying operations and equipment maintenance to maintain combat readiness of an 18-aircraft F-16C LANTIRN squadron. It prepares to deploy worldwide to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground operations for daylight and nighttime missions.

Poaching from Hill AFB is no shocker.

That's a decent find. Maybe a test platform for f22/f35 tech?