When the Wildenrath Wing got the Phantom FGR2 in 1977/78 (taking over from the Gutersloh Wing with the Lightning F2A), it was indeed top dog in the AD world in 2ATAF. Apart from the Luftwaffe with the F-4F, everyone else still had the F-104G with just a couple of Sidewinders and an M-61 20mm cannon mounted internally.
With the best radar, Skyflash, RWR, better hardened facilities, better NBC IPE, and crews drilled to perfection, the Wildenrath Wing was the first unit to get top ratings across the board in its' first TACEVAL on type.
In 4ATAF, 36 TFW at Bitburg was only just getting the F-15A and the rest of USAFE still had F-4Es and F-4Ds.
Great times !
Circa 1977/78 - one with / one without RWR mod on top of fin.
