Rhino power
23rd Dec 2016, 11:48
Yesterday (21/12/16) saw the last operational USAF F-4's, the QF-4E's of the 82nd ATRS based at Holloman AFB, finally retire after 53 years of USAF F-4 ops.
In total, the F-4 served the US military for just short of 56 years. The US Navy received their first operational F4H-1 on 30/12/60, VF-121 was the recipient at NAS Miramar. The USMC were next, receiving their first F4H-1 into VMF-314 at MCAS El Toro on 29/6/62.
Finally the USAF joined the party, receiving their first operational F-4, a loaned US Navy F-4B (one of 20 odd which were initially used while the USAF waited for delivery of it's own F-4C's), it joined the 4453rd CCTS at MacDill AFB on 4/2/63...
So, as another chapter is closed in the magnificent career of Mr MAC's finest, take solace in the fact that it's not quite all over yet, Greece, Turkey, Japan, South Korea and Iran all still fly F-4's as frontline aircraft...
Final flight farewells Phantom > Holloman Air Force Base > Article Display (http://www.holloman.af.mil/ArticleDisplay/tabid/6274/Article/1036377/final-flight-farewells-phantom.aspx)
-RP
In total, the F-4 served the US military for just short of 56 years. The US Navy received their first operational F4H-1 on 30/12/60, VF-121 was the recipient at NAS Miramar. The USMC were next, receiving their first F4H-1 into VMF-314 at MCAS El Toro on 29/6/62.
Finally the USAF joined the party, receiving their first operational F-4, a loaned US Navy F-4B (one of 20 odd which were initially used while the USAF waited for delivery of it's own F-4C's), it joined the 4453rd CCTS at MacDill AFB on 4/2/63...
So, as another chapter is closed in the magnificent career of Mr MAC's finest, take solace in the fact that it's not quite all over yet, Greece, Turkey, Japan, South Korea and Iran all still fly F-4's as frontline aircraft...
Final flight farewells Phantom > Holloman Air Force Base > Article Display (http://www.holloman.af.mil/ArticleDisplay/tabid/6274/Article/1036377/final-flight-farewells-phantom.aspx)
-RP