F-4 Phantom II U.S. operators

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An F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-74 Bedevillers, about to be launched from the USS America (CV-66)
An F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-74 Bedevillers, about to be launched from the USS America (CV-66)

U.S. units that operated the F-4 Phantom II are listed below.

Contents

[edit] U.S. Navy

The Phantom enter service with the U.S Navy on 30 December 1960 with VF-121 Pacemakers at NAS Miramar. The VF-74 Be-devilers at NAS Oceana became the first deployable Phantom squadron when it received its F4H-1s (F-4Bs) on 8 July 1961.[1]

[edit] Frontline & Reserve

An F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-92 Silver Kings, from the USS Constellation (CV-64)
An F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-92 Silver Kings, from the USS Constellation (CV-64)

[edit] Training

An F-4B Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers, taxis on the flight deck of the USS America
An F-4B Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers, taxis on the flight deck of the USS America

These kind of units are known in Navy parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of these particular training units was to provide fleet squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.

  • VF-101 "Grim Reapers" (Atlantic Fleet)
  • VF-121 "Pacemakers" (Pacific Fleet)
  • VF-171 "Aces" (Atlantic Fleet. NB: The DACT detachment of this squadron was located at NAS Key West, Florida, and flew the A-4 Skyhawk. This unit assumed the F-4 training role in the Atlantic Fleet upon VF-101's transition to the F-14 Tomcat)

[edit] Fleet Support

A VX-4 Phantom, flying in formation with a Navy Fighter Weapons School F-5E
A VX-4 Phantom, flying in formation with a Navy Fighter Weapons School F-5E

These units provided services to the fleet such as aerial target-towing, air combat training and enemy electronic warfare simulation support.

  • VC-7 "Tallyhoers"
  • VAQ-33 "Firebirds"

[edit] Flight Development, Test & Evaluation

  • VX-4 "Evaluators"
  • VX-5 "Vampires"
  • VX-30 "Bloodhounds"

[edit] U.S. Marine Corps

US Marine Corps F-4S
US Marine Corps F-4S

The U.S. Marines received their first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the VMFA-314 Black Knights at MCAS El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. In addition to attack variants, the Marines also operated several tactical reconnaissance RF-4Bs. Marine Phantoms from the VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts arrived in Vietnam on 10 April 1965, flying close air support missions from land bases as well as from USS America. Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents. On 18 January 1992, the last Marine Phantom, an F-4S, was retired by VMFA-112 Cowboys.[2]

[edit] U.S. Air Force

A US Air Force Phantom takes off during a heritage demonstration
A US Air Force Phantom takes off during a heritage demonstration

Partial List

Wing
Squadrons

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Thornborough and Davies 1994, p. 260.
  2. ^ Crowther, M.J. and Baker, Rusty. The History of VMFA-112 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved: 13 February 2008.
  • Thornborough, Anthony M. and Davies, Peter E. The Phantom Story. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1994. ISBN 1-85409-121-2.