#qf-4

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Final sunset on the F-4 Phantom - Holloman AFB, New Mexico - December 20, 2016

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QF-4 Phantom target drone

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US Navy QF-4N at Luke AFB, Az - 25 OCT 1995

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( Site best view on PC or MAC, )

The 82d Aerial Targets Squadron (82 ATRS) was the last USAF unit which flew the F-4 Phantom II, flying the QF-4E,-G, and QRF-4C versions in the role of an aerial target. In the past few years we have seen the QF-4E doing the airshow circuit doing Heritage flights and also single ship demonstration.

For 2016, we were fortunate to have encounter the QF-4E flying into Alliance airport in Oct for the airshow and  Nov in Texas motor speedway. Getting twice in a month on Phantom was an exciting moment for us Aviation geeks. Col King ( Callsign Elvis) and Jim Harkins ( Callsign Wam) flew 2 x QF-4E from Holloman AFB and did some amazing maneuvers when they came into Alliance Airport KAFW.

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21st December marks the end of the Phantom era whereby these old warriors were decommissioned from USAF inventory. In the base we get hot ramp access to all the QF-4 in the inventory and see 4 of them taxi and take off. They did some very good maneuvers and a 4 ship supersonic approaches. With 2 of the 4 pilots retiring from flight duties, they were honored by crossed fire hose arcs to taxi through. The only F-4 phantom active left in the world flying would be Turkey, Japan, Greece, Korea and Iran.  Like an old warrior we see the end of the Phantom era here in the United States, ……………I always remember this graceful and beautiful double ugly warrior ….. Phantom Phforever!!!

Hot ramp Actions

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Aerial Display from the Mighty Phantom

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Farewell Ceremony

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Phantom Pharewell 2016 , Holloman AFB ( Site best view on PC or MAC, ) The 82d Aerial Targets Squadron (82 ATRS) was the last USAF unit which flew the F-4 Phantom II, flying the QF-4E,-G, and QRF-4C versions in the role of an aerial target.

[latest-news-today-blog1]

The F-4 Phantom II: Now It's a Phantom Of The Past Time

Wednesday December 21, 2016 the QF-4 Phantom II retired from active duty.

Over the last 53 years the Phantom became one of the most beloved airframes in the U.S. Military.

Over the years it connected to thousands of people on an emotional level as it served as a symbol of hope and freedom during one of the most difficult times our country has faced. Lt. Col. Ronald King, 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 2 Commander and the last active duty Airman to pilot the QF-4, describes his experience serving with the Phantom.

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Lt. Col. Todd Houchins, the 53rd Test Support Squadron commander, signals before the final takeoff of the last QF-4 Aerial Target on Tyndall Air Force Base, FL, July 24, 2015. The QF-4 was assigned to the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron. (USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz)

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QF-4E Phantom II of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, US Air Force

via Aero-Pictures and Wikipedia