The Final Flight for the F-4 Phantom Set For Next Week

The last of the QF-4s will be shot down towards the end of this year. Both of the visitors to Oshkosh were slated to face the final showdown in the coming days. (photo by Richard Mallory Allnutt)
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A QF-4 Aerial Target lands on the flight line at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., during the Aviation Nation air show on Nov. 11, 2016. The QF-4 was piloted by Lt. Col. Ron King, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron Detachment 1 commander, at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)
A QF-4 Aerial Target lands on the flight line at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., during the Aviation Nation air show on Nov. 11, 2016. The QF-4 was piloted by Lt. Col. Ron King, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron Detachment 1 commander, at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Kevin Tanenbaum/Released)

The final flight and retirement ceremony for the venerable F-4 Phantom will be December 21st at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.  The Phantom is still in active service at Holloman with Detachment 1 of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron. The last flight and ceremony are open to the public, but attendees must RSVP to the base.

Tentative Schedule
8 am – La Luz Gate** opens to attendees (attendees will be directed to designated parking areas and then bused to the event)
8 am – Community expo opens to include static aircraft such as the QF-4 and QF-16
10 am – F-4 Phantom II takeoff and final flight (tentative)
11:30 am-12 pm – F-4 Phantom II retirement ceremony
1 pm – Event conclusion

**The La Luz gate is the only gate open for non-DOD cardholders and public access

It’s important to note that attendees must RSVP with the 49th Wing Public Affairs office by calling 575-572-7381 or by emailing [email protected]. RSVPs may be accepted through their Facebook page as well. Further updates will be posted to the event Facebook page.

Thanks to AirShow Stuff for the information.

The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron's last QF-4 Phantom takes off from the runway May 27 marking the end of almost 20 years of its use at Tyndall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Echols/Released)
The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron’s last QF-4 Phantom takes off from the runway May 27, 2015 marking the end of almost 20 years of its use at Tyndall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Echols/Released)

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Moreno-Aguiari

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.

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About Moreno Aguiari 3374 Articles
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.

2 Comments

  1. I was crew chief on two RF-4Cs at Alconbury, England for two years. What a wonderful aircraft. I actually crewed both aircraft at the same time, for a while. We were very short handed during Vietnam. Our whole 10th Wing was on alert standby for a time to be deployed to Nam but it was called off. 641018 was my assigned bird and she was a great one.

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