Danish Airpower 2025

For one final time, the Skyvan photoship crossed into Danish airspace to photograph the former flagship of the Royal Danish Air Force—the F-16 Fighting Falcon. With the type approaching retirement from Danish service, this project carried a strong sense of closure. At the top of every photographer’s wish list was the spectacular “Half Century” special-painted demo jet, a fitting symbol of the F-16’s long and distinguished career in Denmark.

The plan called for two full flying days, but the European season opener delivered a rare setback: a complete weather cancellation on day one. Low cloud and persistent rain left no alternative but to stand down. Fortunately, conditions improved dramatically the following day, restoring both momentum and morale. Clear skies returned, and expectations were high as the Skyvan launched once more.

Demo pilot “TEO” delivered exactly what everyone had hoped for, flying the striking red-and-silver F-16 not once, but twice. The first join-up was a long solo mission, allowing photographers to work through every possible angle of the aircraft. The second join-up added something truly special: a two-ship formation with Tom Schau’s RV-8. A former airshow director for Denmark’s major military events and now driving force behind the Roskilde Airshow, Schau’s long-held wish to fly in formation with an F-16 became reality—much to the delight of everyone on board.

The day continued with two air-to-air sessions featuring Denmark’s newest frontline aircraft, the F-35. The first was a solo join-up that stayed with the Skyvan for a solid ten minutes, followed later by a two-ship formation offering a variety of clean and dynamic poses. One unexpected detail stood out: the aircraft recently returned from training in the United States showed visible wear from desert operations at Luke AFB, adding an authentic and revealing layer to the imagery.

The highlight of the mission came with a final two-ship F-16 formation, fully equipped with external fuel tanks and armament. One of the jets was a two-seater—an emotional moment, as it became clear this would be the last time many of us would ever see a Danish twin-seat F-16 airborne. For photographers continuing onward on the ferry flight to Sweden, the farewell continued with a surprise escort: the KZ II, Chipmunk, and T-17, representing three generations of Danish Air Force trainers. Together, the images and footage from this project form a fitting tribute to the Danish Vipers—aircraft that have delivered unforgettable action, power, and presence for decades.