Phantom Driver,
If we spotted them at low level over the North German plains , the usual call was --"F 16's ? Run , lads ! "
That may have been true in the late 80s but certainly to at the start. When Beauvechain first got their F16s they preferred to operate with the Wildenrath FGR2s. Although the F4 radar display was rudimentary we had good detection ranges and we knew where we were (mostly). That was where we developed MFFO to great effect. We even went to the Richthofen Wing and briefed them on the concept. Bearing in mind that the F4F only had a Pulse radar in those days.
Certainly, one did not want to mix it with an F16 with our 2 wing tanks AND Center Line Gun Pod. The AIM9L made a great difference once that became available to the RAF.
Even the F15s from Soesterberg flew on our wing on many occasions in the murky weather at low level in North Germany.