Technically the McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II is not a Warbird just yet, because it’s still operational within a handful of air arms across the globe. However, it’s such an iconic aircraft that every news item featuring its current flying exploits these days is worthy of mention.
The Hellenic Air Force has confirmed its participation at the Malta International Airshow with an F-4E PI 2000 Phantom II from Andravida Air Force Base in Greece. This will be the second time Greece participates at the air show, having sent another Phantom II in 2005. The air show will take place over the weekend of September 27th/28th.
The Phantom II entered service with Greece in 1974 under an arms program called “Peace Icarus”. Although it is just a second-generation jet combat aircraft, several dozen Phantom IIs still serve in Greece, having received upgrades from the German company DASA under the program “Peace Icarus 2000”. The advanced electronics and other modifications have extended the Phantom’s operational life. Thirty four of the upgraded Hellenic Air Force Phantom IIs are based in Andrabida air base with 117 Combat Wing, split between 338 “Aris” and 339 “Aias” Squadrons. Twelve RF-4E reconnaissance variants soldier on at Larissa air base with 110 Combat Wing’s 348 “Eyes” Squadron. After the upgrade program, all the Hellenic F-4Es wear the “Aegean Ghost” camouflage while all RF-4Es remain in their Viet Nam War-era camouflage.
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Dear friends,
the above awesome pictures of greek Phantoms, are not picturing any of HAF F-4E PI-2000 AUP’s (Peace Icarus 2000 Avionics upgrade) aircrafts, but original (ex-USANG , state of Indiana) F-4E “SRA” s” as called in Greece , 28 of them delivered to HAF after South Region Agreement deal in 1990. Included in the pictures is the rare 68-424 , the only of them delivered to HAF with the (new, back to 1985) experimental windshield without metal reinforcements.
Pictures of HAF F-4E PI-2000 AUP’s , can be found here:
https://www.haf.gr/multimedia/photos/planes/