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This year, pilots of the multirole F-16 Fighting Falcon can for the second time lay claim to serving as assistants to Ukraine’s St. Nicholas.
This may become a fine continuation of a long-standing tradition of the U.S. Air Force and other countries, whereby “Fighting Falcons” have for many years replaced Santa Claus’s reindeer in his sleigh.
ArmyInform tells the story of how F-16s are connected to the celebration of Christmas and the New Year.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is not only one of the most mass-produced combat aircraft but also a recognizable cultural symbol of modern military aviation.
The fighter jet frequently appears in various cultural references, becoming a symbolic object in numerous works of popular culture.
So it is no surprise that the “Fighting Falcons” could not pass unnoticed by two of the most important holidays of the calendar year in the Christian world — Christmas and New Year.
F-16 pilots often joke and maintain a festive mood while on duty and sorties during Christmas and New Year.
In particular, during missions on December 25, 2016, over Iraq, American Fighting Falcon pilots wore traditional red Santa hats to feel the Christmas spirit.
Some U.S. Air Force units also produce themed patches or souvenirs. For example, the 35th Fighter Squadron (Kunsan, Korea) has a “Christmas Panther” patch depicting an F-16 pulling Santa’s sleigh.
Similar patches, decals, stickers, pins, and other themed images can be found in other U.S. Air Force squadrons and those of other countries.
For instance, the 195th Fighter Squadron created a festive patch titled “Merry Christmas F-16 Fighting Falcon”.
Another example is a festive patch depicting an F-16 falcon wearing a Santa hat with the inscription: “One Year Plus — F-16 Fighting Falcon”.
This embroidered holiday patch marks “one year plus” of flight service on the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Fan-made and commercial versions of patches are also widespread. For example, the Crazy Camo Santa tactical patch series releases holiday patches every year.
One of them depicts Rudolph the reindeer piloting an F-16, providing air support for Santa.
Holiday aviation-themed greeting cards are also available. One popular New Year card shows Santa in a sleigh pulled by F-16 fighters against the backdrop of a full moon.
The F-16 image is also frequently used in Christmas and New Year decorations and souvenirs. For example, sports stores sell Christmas tree ornaments in the form of miniature F-16 models. These are officially licensed by the U.S. Air Force and sold as holiday decorations.
Elite collections even include glass and crystal models. For instance, Glass Baron offers a glass pendant ornament shaped like a fighter jet, decorated with real 22-karat gold. This product, like the others, is “officially licensed by the U.S. Air Force”.
Military pilots generally perceive such patches and decorations with humor. The phrase “Santa flies on an F-16, not reindeer” is seen as a kind, cheerful, and at the same time patriotic joke.
Military media often write that it was F-16 pilots who delivered Santa to Christmas and New Year’s parties for military families at various air bases.
As we can see, the F-16 Fighting Falcon has confidently joined the celebration of Christmas and the New Year.
Having become one of the recognizable Christmas and New Year symbols in the United States, the “Fighting Falcons” have every chance of also becoming assistants to Ukraine’s St. Nicholas.
