Waiting for the Tiger: Belgian F-16s and A400M Training at Kleine-Brogel
Belgian Air Force F-16A serial FA-107, armed with live missiles lands at Kleine-Brogel airbase on March 9th, 2026.
An early morning drive from Amsterdam brought me to a farm field outside Kleine-Brogel airbase on March 9th. The goal for the day was simple: try to photograph the newly painted tiger-scheme General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon from 31 Squadron. The jet had been officially unveiled, but had yet to fly.
The morning started quietly. It was not until around 10:00 that the first F-16 departed. Roughly thirty minutes later, two more F-16s launched from the base.
Unfortunately, none of the three jets carried the special tiger markings I had come hoping to see. Kleine-Brogel spotting is always unpredictable.
Belgian Air Force Airbus A400M serial CT-03, belonging to 15th Wing at Melsbroek airbase, on final during training in the pattern at Kleine-Brogel Airbase.
While waiting for the fighters to return, an unexpected visitor appeared in the circuit. A Belgian Air Force A400M arrived from Melsbroek airbase and began conducting a series of touch-and-go landings, providing a welcome photographic opportunity during the otherwise quiet period.
Belgian Air Force F-16A serial FA-82 returns to Kleine-Brogel airbase. Carrying training missiles, the aircraft was likely the simulated target for a QRA exercise.
About ninety minutes after their departure, the three F-16s returned to the airfield. Interestingly, two of the fighters appeared to be carrying live weapons while the third aircraft was equipped only with training missiles. This configuration suggested that the sortie may have been connected to Quick Reaction Alert training, although no official confirmation was available.
F-16A serial FA-69 was the second armed aircraft to fly on this day.
Later in the afternoon, the same A400M returned to Kleine-Brogel for additional pattern work, once again performing several touch-and-go approaches before departing.
Airbus A400M serial CT-03 returned to Kleine-Brogel for a second round of training in the pattern at Kleine-Brogel.
Shifting light later in the day meant a good opportunity to move for photos of CT-03 from the opposite side of the approach path.
Despite the activity, the long-awaited tiger jet never appeared that day. With no information from local spotters about when the aircraft might fly, the afternoon eventually came to a quiet close and I began the drive back to Amsterdam.
As it turned out, patience would pay off a few days later when the special aircraft finally took to the air for the first time.
Interestingly, this was not my first time photographing a tiger-themed aircraft from 31 Squadron at Kleine-Brogel airbase. During a visit in 2022, I captured another F-16 carrying a previous tiger-themed scheme applied for the squadron’s participation in the annual NATO Tiger Meet.
© 2026 Patrick Lalande. All rights reserved.