Scramble exclusive!
Steve Lewis provided us these absolute stunning and exclusive pictures of a Alkowat al Malakiya al Jawiya (RMAF, Royal Moroccan Air Force) F-16C during its low level flight over the California desert.
Two RMAF Vipers (last reported as this F-16C 08-8013 and F-16D 08-8019) are based at Edwards AFB (CA) and detached to the USAF Test Pilot School. The RMAF runs the detachment at least since late 2014. The USAF TPS is where US and international air force pilots, navigators and engineers learn how to conduct flight test and generate the data needed to carry out test missions. It is not clear why the RMAF has for quite some time two aircraft and pilots based at this location. Strikingly, the F-16D was recently reported with a enlarged spine, so maybe tests are carried out to modify all RMAF F-16s with this upgrade that supports electronic countermeasures. It is said that this airframe will be returned to Morocco within a few weeks.
The F-16C/D Block 52 fleet of the RMAF is based at 6 Air Base, Ben Benguérir. Escadre de Chasse six (6 Wing) operates three squadrons, Escadron de Chasse "Falcon", "Spark" and "Viper". Currently, the RMAF have fifteen F-16Cs and eight F-16Ds on strength. The sixteenth F-16, a F-16C unfortunately crashed on 10 May 2015 during the air war in the Saudi led coalition over Yemen.
The quite low number of modern and very beautiful northwest African Fighting Falcons, result that the squadrons operate in a poul of aircraft and the squadrons can be seen as a flight of Escadre de Chasse six.