The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team of the United States Air Force (USAF) was among the highlights of the last month´s Feria Internacional Aeronáutica y Espacial de Colombia (the Colombian International Aeronautical and Space Fair), commonly known as the F-AIR air show. The 2025 edition of the event attracted over 58,000 visitors and offered an interesting aviation spectacle performed by aerobatic and demo teams from both Americas.
The F-AIR 2025, held between 11th and 13th July, was already the twelfth edition of the biggest Colombian air show. The event was hosted by José María Córdova International Airport, which is also the location of the country´s main air base, Comando Aéreo de Combate Número 5 (CACOM 5).
This year´s edition of the show was marked by the significant presence of the USAF. It included both the flying displays, such as the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and the Wings of Blue Parachute Team from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, as well as participation of the Air National Guard aircraft in the static exhibition.
Advantages of the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter were demonstrated by Maj. Taylor ‘Hema’ Hiester, the official display pilot of the team. European aviation enthusiasts know him, for example, from the last year´s performance at the Sanicole International Airshow in Belgium.
However, on the contrary to the Belgian show, where the Viper display was performed with one of the Europe-based aircraft, the F-16C from Spangdahlem AFB in Germany, painted in standard USAF camouflage, the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team arrived in Colombia with its main display aircraft, the YF-16 Heritage Jet.
This special paint scheme was unveiled in May 2024 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet. The aircraft colour scheme replicates the original red-white-blue livery of the YF-16 prototype, which successfully performed its maiden flight in 1974.
In addition to the Viper show, the aforementioned Wings of Blue Parachute Team made its debut at F-AIR and performed precision parachuting alongside their Colombian counterparts Águila de Gules (the Eagles of Gules), carrying US and Colombian flags.
It is also worth to mention Força Aérea Brasileira (the Brazilian Air Force), which was another intriguing participant of the F-AIR air show. The FAB deployed to Colombia two Saab JAS-39E Gripen fighters, supported by one Embraer KC-390 Millennium airlifter. It was not only the first presentation of the new Brazilian fighters abroad but also a challenging flight across the Amazon, with just one stopover in Tabatinga.
Among the other highlights of the F-AIR flying programme were the displays performed by Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana (the Colombian Aerospace Force), such as the AH-60L Black Hawk show of Equipo Acrobático Arpía 51 (Harpy 51 Aerobatic Team), the display of Texan T6 Squadron aerobatic team flying with Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, and the performance of Dardos (the Darts) team, flying with IAI Kfir jet fighters.
Cover photo: USAF Maj. Taylor Hiester, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs aerial maneuvers in a F-16C Fighting Falcon during F-AIR 2025 (USAF photo by Senior Airman Steven Cardo)
All photos © U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). DoD information materials were used, in compliance with Public Domain licence. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
