End of an Era: Final OCU Flight at Kleine-BrogelOn April 16, 2026, the Belgian Air Force officially ...

End of an Era: Final OCU Flight at Kleine-BrogelOn April 16, 2026, the Belgian Air Force officially ...:
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On April 16, 2026, the Belgian Air Force officially closed a major chapter in its aviation history. The Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at Kleine-Brogel Air Base flew its final mission, marking the end of decades of F-16 pilot training in Belgium.
For years, the OCU, recognized by its “Semper Vulture” insignia, was responsible for converting pilots onto the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Every Belgian F-16 pilot passed through this unit, gaining the skills required for operational deployment within NATO and beyond.
The disbandment comes as Belgium continues its transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. With this shift, pilot training is moving toward international programs aligned with fifth-generation warfare requirements.
The final flight didn’t just mark the end of a unit, it marked the conclusion of Belgium’s F-16 training era at Kleine-Brogel.