This Week in Aviano Air Base History: 526th FS gained aerial victories for Operation Deny Flight
Flying out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Feb. 28, 1994, two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 526th Fighter Squadron downed four Federal Republic of Yugoslavia J-21 Jastrebs in support of Operation Deny Flight. This was the first combat engagement in NATO's history. Both F-16s involved are now 31st Fighter Wing aircraft. (Source: 31st Fighter Wing History Office; Image Sting of the Black Viper by Rick Herter, Air Force Art Collection 1997.052)