South Korea retires F-4D Phantoms

RoKAF F-4D Phantom II. And it's drag chute.

Missed this bit of news till now. After 41 years of service with the Republic of Korea Air Force, the McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II has been retired from RoKAF service in a decommissioning ceremony held at the 11th Fighter Wing's base at Daegu, South Korea.

The RoKAF still operates the later F-4E variant along with a handful of RF-4C photo-reconnaissance Phantoms.

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Germany offers Croatia Phantoms

Croatian state TV has reported that Germany has offered Croatia 20 ageing F-4F Phantom fighter planes to replace its even older MIG-21 jets. Croatia has a small number of late-model MiG-21bis interceptors in its fleet that are rapidly approaching the end of their service lives

USAF QF-4s find new lease of life as target tugs

The Phantom lives! The USAF has found yet another new role for the immortal F-4, this time serving as a tug towing target banners for aerial gunnery practice. Cancellation of a Navy contract for Learjets towing the targets prompted the move.

Luftwaffe takes over Baltic air policing mission

Marking its fourth time deploying fighters to patrol the skies over the Baltic republics, the Luftwaffe has deployed six Wittmund-based F-4F Phantoms to Lithuania's Siauliai Airbase for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duty lasting four months. The F-4Fs will take over from four US Air Force F-15Cs originally based at Lakenheath, England.

RoKAF RF-4C crashes, crew killed

Continuing a bad week for military aviation, a Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) RF-4C Phantom photo-reconnaissance aircraft has crashed in the south-west of the country. The aircraft was reportedly on a low-level training flight, both crew were killed.

Japan to terminate F-15J recon conversion contract

The Japanese Defense Ministry has decided not to allow Toshiba to delay the delivery of an F-15 converted into a reconnaissance platform. Negotiations are under way to cancel the contract, with the JASDF to continue using the RF-4EJ Phantoms in the reconnaissance role.

South Korea to delay fighter jet program

South Korea is to delay the F-X program to select a new fighter to replace the F-4D/E Phantoms and F-5E/F Tiger jets in the RoKAF inventory. Budget constraints and a realignment in priorities in the wake of the corvette Cheonan's sinking have been cited as the reasons.

JASDF F-4 replacement project stalls

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's F-X project to replace its fleet of ageing F-4 Phantoms has stalled due to a variety of conflicting circumstances.

Iranian Phantom crashes; pilots eject

An Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force F-4 Phantom has crashed near Bushehr, site of Iran's controversial nuclear plant. Both crew members have successfully ejected from the stricken aircraft.