With that information, I am going to update my "guess".
Taiwan is getting F-16V, which upgrades their F-16A/B with F-16C Block 70 avionics.
My guess is: Modifications would be done at LM Aero facilities in Ft. Worth. Aircraft would then be flown to Luke AFB for test and acceptance flights. From there, the aircraft is flown to Hawaii for crew rest, then to Taiwan. Flight from Luke to Taiwan is too long.
Looking at the picture Here , it appears that the main gear are down and the nose gear is retracted.
How many ariel refuelings between Holloman and RAF Lakenheath?
A bunch. Flew as a flight of 6 F-4Ds. Configuration was 3 external fuel tanks...the centerline tank held 4000 pounds of fuel.
From Holloman to overhead Boston, we refuelled twice. We then rendezvoused with 7 KC-135s as we coasted out. Each F-4 had its own tanker. Then as the centerline went empty, we refuelled to fill up the centerline. This way, we always had enough fuel to divert if we had an emergency.
So, my estimate is I would have refuelled 12 times.
Might that have been in 1973? If so, I was there waiting for you. I worked aircraft instrumentation at Lakenheath 1973-1976.
Don't suppose you remember the tail number?
Did you stay at Lakenheath? If so, I probably met you at maintenance debriefing a few times.
What was the weirdest instrument problem you ever had on F-4Ds?
Thanks for sharing.