Last week, the Iowa Air National Guard unveiled a historic fighter jet of their own, a retro 50th anniversary, down to the details, gold F-16 just as it first appeared in 1996
Last week, the Iowa Air National Guard revealed a historic fighter jet of its own: a gold F-16 painted in a detailed retro scheme to mark the 50th anniversary, matching how it originally looked in 1996.
As Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot explains in the article Yes, it’s gold! Iowa ANG gold F-16 remake celebrates ANG history, in today’s world of intricate special paint schemes—such as the Indiana ANG’s black A-10 or the South Dakota ANG’s blue F-16—a gold F-16 might not seem extraordinary, but back in 1996, it was a huge deal.
The tale of the 185th Fighter Wing’s gold F-16 was a huge deal because, in the 1990s, fully repainting a jet in anything other than standard tactical gray was extremely uncommon. Back then, units were typically only allowed to add nose art or a more elaborate tail design.
The first gold F-16 appeared on the Sioux City flight line in 1996, when the unit celebrated its 50th anniversary. Now, in 2022, the unit has recreated it as the Air Force celebrates its 75th anniversary.
By modern standards, an all-gold F-16 might not appear unusual. A quick online search for F-16 paint schemes reveals many intricate designs. However, longtime members of the 185th say that, aside from the Thunderbirds, fully painting a U.S. Air Force jet was simply “not done” 25 years ago.
The well-known gold jet was the idea of former 185th Fighter Wing Commander and widely admired leader, Col Dennis Swanstrom. When the F-16 static display in Sioux City became faded from the sun and needed refurbishment, the concept of repainting it in gold started to take shape. The old F-16 had been on display at the Iowa Air National Guard base in Sioux City for nearly two decades. The 174th Fighter Squadron flew F-16s throughout the 1990s before transitioning to the KC-135 in 2001. After this conversion, the F-16 was moved to a small airpark at the Air Guard unit that showcases aircraft previously flown by the 185th.
The aircraft on display in Sioux City include different versions of the F-80, an F-100 mounted on a pole, and an A-7, all located near the unit’s headquarters. Like the original, the new gold jet features the script “Pride of Siouxland” along one side of the fuselage. The opposite side bears the words “The Bats 50th Anniversary” in large letters, and the paint scheme also includes “1946–1996” on the ventral fins.
Similar to the original, the 2022 paint scheme keeps the gothic bat tail flash with the word “Iowa” at the top of the tail. “Sioux City” is written inside an elongated Native American headdress on the lower part of the tail section. The design also features a glossy black radome at the front of the jet as part of the black‑and‑gold motif. Beneath the canopy on the left side are the words “Col. Dennis Swanstrom Wing Commander,” while the right side reads “TSgt Dave Larimer Crew Chief.”
The 1996 gold F-16 was actually part of the wing’s active flying fleet at the time. Col. Swanstrom is widely seen as the one responsible—whether praised or blamed—for wanting something bold to mark the unit’s milestone anniversary. According to those who served with him, Swanstrom was a born promoter who didn’t always let strict rules stand in the way of a great idea. A 50th anniversary comes only once, and for those who knew him, once Swany believed in an idea, no amount of argument could change his mind.
Swanstrom joined the group of F-100 pilots in Sioux City in the late 1960s, just as they were returning from Vietnam. During the unit’s year-long mobilization, the Iowa ANG first adopted the call sign “BAT,” which appears on the F-16’s tail. The “BAT” call sign was chosen because the unit frequently flew night missions while stationed at Phu Cat Air Base.
The unit’s strong performance at Phu Cat cemented a tradition of pride and excellence that future generations, under Swanstrom’s leadership, would carry forward.
Over the following decade, the unit mastered its close air support role with the A-7, earning numerous awards for flying and aircraft maintenance. At the start of the 1990s, they finally received the Air Force’s top multi‑role fighter and developed the expertise to match their new mission. Confident they were part of the best‑trained and best‑equipped Air Force in the world, Swanstrom was enthusiastic about sharing their story.
Almost three decades after he started flying, Swanstrom was now the Wing Commander and had the freedom to make his own decisions. When the unit’s 50th anniversary came around, he wanted to mark the milestone with a major celebration.
Unit members from that time recall that Swanstrom’s proposal to paint the original jet gold was first rejected over concerns about combat readiness. Unfazed, Swanstrom argued the aircraft could be quickly repainted in tactical gray if necessary, and he moved forward with his gold F-16 concept.
Among the main reasons Swanstrom believed painting the jet gold was worthwhile, he argued it would be a powerful tool for promoting the unit. His peers also felt the idea was justified because it would significantly boost unit morale.
Twenty‑five years on, the gold F‑16 is once again serving its role in 2022 by helping share the unit’s history. The gold jet symbolizes a vision that extends beyond a single commander or air wing.
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot/U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air National Guard
