Take a Virtual Ride in the Cockpit on the F-4 Phantom's Retirement Flight
Truly the end of an era.
By Tyler RogowayDecember 22, 2016
The War ZoneQF-4PhantomsF-4sFinal FlightsRetirementsHolloman AFBQF-16cockpit video
We have been talking about it all year—the F-4 Phantom’s long awaited retirement from the Pentagon’s active inventory. The QF-4s of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron made a triumphant round of visits to air shows across the US this year, giving the American people one last chance to glimpse the “Bent Wing Wonder” in action. It was one last hurrah for what would be an emotional end to a stunning career. Yesterday, on December 21st, 2016, the Phantom’s service finally came to an end with a ceremony at Holloman Air Force base marking the bittersweet milestone.
Although the type was officially retired from front-line service 20 years ago, over 300 surplus Phantoms were converted by BAE Systems into QF-4 full-scale aerial targets (FSAT). These optionally manned jets played the invaluable role of acting as fodder for the testing of America’s newest missile and missile countermeasure technologies.
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