30/08/2026
🇺🇸 52 YEARS OF THE VIPER 🇺🇸
Some aircraft simply demand your attention — and when Major Taylor “FEMA” Hiester puts the F-16 Viper through its paces, looking away really isn’t an option. 🔥
Captured during the Friday afternoon airshow at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, FEMA demonstrates exactly why the F-16 has remained one of the world’s most iconic fighters for more than half a century — with an incredible display of precision, power and outright performance in front of a very impressed Oshkosh crowd.
And this particular Viper carries its heritage proudly.
Painted in 2024 to commemorate 50 years since the first flight of the YF-16 prototype, the jet wears the unmistakable red, white and blue scheme inspired by the original YF-16 during its 1974 flight-test program.
It’s a brilliant tribute to where the Viper story began — brought to life 50 years later by one amazing pilot!
But there’s another side to FEMA that you don’t necessarily see from the crowd line.
Behind the helmet is someone who is every bit as impressive as the aviator — genuine, humble, approachable and incredibly generous with his time. A true people person who has a remarkable ability to make aviation fans feel like part of the experience rather than simply spectators.
I feel incredibly fortunate — and genuinely honoured — to have struck up a great friendship with him along the way.
2026 marks the final year of FEMA’s tenure with the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, bringing to a close three years of displays that have showcased not only the extraordinary capabilities of the Viper, but the skill, professionalism and personality of the man flying it.
For everyone fortunate enough to have watched FEMA send the Viper around an airshow sky over these past three years, those displays won’t soon be forgotten.
And for me, this photograph captures a little bit more than just another pass at Oshkosh.
An incredible aircraft. An exceptional aviator. And, most importantly, a genuinely great man. 🇺🇸🤝🇦🇺
📸 Jeff Barnett Photography
