In addition to their F/A-18 Hornets, the Swiss Air Force is still flying the F-5E. But for how long? For several years, no new pilots have been trained on the F-5. The F-^
5E is likely to be phased out
in 2018. The future is uncertain. It is planned that a successor model for the F-5 and F/A-18 will be introduced at the Swiss Air Force in 2025. At present, about two dozen F-5E and F are operational in three Flying Squadrons: Fliegerstaffel 6 based at Payerne Fliegerstaffel 8 based at Meiringen Fliegerstaffel 19 based at Sion In 2017 some F-5E received a new and wonderful tail paint sche
me. The J-3033 of the Fliegerstaf-
fel 6 shows a marching duck in armour and the unit uses the ca
llsign “Duck”. The J-3073 of the
Fliegerstaffel 8 shows a red sawfish (Sägezahnfis
ch). The sawfish is named "Vandalo". The in-
scription “Addido Vandalos” refers to the imminent dissolution of
the squadron. The J-3038 of the
Fliegerstaffel 19 called “Swans” and shows this on
the tail. The J-3074 is an earlier F-5E of the
Fliegerstaffel 13, which was disbanded in 2000 in
Payerne has a winged lion. Their inscription was
“Pa Capona“ is not easy to describe. This motto of Flugplatzbrigade 32 consists of the two words in the dialect of Savièse, which could be interprete
d in English as “Look fate in the eye”. Describ-
ing the determination to be always ready to contribute part of the defence of the homeland. Enjoy our images from the Swiss AB Sion.
Fliegerstaffel 8 shows a red sawfish main image and the Fliegerstaffel 13 the winged lion, inset.
