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The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the backbone of the US Air Force and the air forces of eighteen other countries. The fighter is expected to continue in this role for many years. For example, the F-16 will constitute over fifty percent of the USAF’s fighter force through year 2010, about the time the Joint Strike Fighter production ramps up. Plans are for the F-16 to still be in service beyond 2020 for the USAF and beyond 2030 for other users. The F-16 constitutes a significant portion of NATO’s fighter force with over 800 aircraft purchased by European members and over 100 USAF F-16s permanently stationed or deployed at any time at bases in Europe.