George AFB - Phantoms!
10th May 2007

McDonnell Douglas F-4E and F-4G Phantom II

McDonnell Douglas's F-4 Phantom - the "Rhino" and "Double Ugly" amongst other nicknames - arrived at George AFB in her mid-career with the USAF. Whilst at George she held two roles; the first was to perform a training role for TAC units and this was performed by the F-4C, F-4D and F-4E of the 21st TFTS and the 431st TFTS. The West German training unit - the 20th TFTS - was equipped with the F-4F and took advantage of the perpetually clear and sunny California skies, the complete opposite to the dark and moody skies awaiting them over central Europe. The second, and better known, role was for the F-4G conversion to take over the "Wild Weasel" mission when the F-105G retired in 1979.

I received the following e-mail which helps clarify which units flew the F-4 Phantom at GAFB:

"I was stationed at George between 1971 and 1975. I was at one point the operations officer for the 20th TFTS.. The F-4 units while I was there were the 4452d Combat Crew Training Squadron,the 4435th Tactical Fighter Replacement Squadron (formerly the 431st TFS), the 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and the 20th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron. There was also an F-105 wing there but I don't recall the numbers. In addition, during part of the time there was a detachment of OV-10s stationed there.

We flew the F-4C, D, E, former Thunderbird E (a modified F-4 that handled differently than the others, The Slatted E, (eventually all Es were modified with slats but we had both and they handled differently), and the German F-4F (which was flown only by the 20th). An instructor might fly all of those different airplanes in the space of a week."

Norman Turner Lt. Col. USAF Ret


Once again crews from George went into harm's way during the Gulf War in 1992 alongside representatives from the Spangdahlem based 52nd TFW, providing a credible anti-SAM role ahead of the attacking coalition forces. The F-4G performed this mission well, only to be rewarded with disbandment upon their return to the High Desert. Some F-4Gs went on to serve with ANG units however like the Thud before them this was brief and the time had come for the Phantom to be retired from the USAF inventory. Once again AMARC at Davis-Monthan welcomed a mass influx of an aircraft type about to die and we visiting enthusiasts were treated to the sight of endless rows of the former fighters, once again the proud "WW" tail code rested under the desert sun.


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These photos were kindly contributed by Scott Wilson who was posted to GAFB from February 1982. They were taken in late 1982; this shows F-4E 66-0309 (later supplied to the Turkish Air Force).
These photos were kindly contributed by Scott Wilson who was posted to GAFB from February 1982. They were taken in late 1982; this shows F-4E 66-0309 (later supplied to the Turkish Air Force).
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 F-4E 66-0333 (also supplied to Turkey)
F-4E 66-0333 (also supplied to Turkey)
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 F-4E 66-0372 which went into store at AMARC in October 1989 and was still there at the start of 2003.
F-4E 66-0372 which went into store at AMARC in October 1989 and was still there at the start of 2003.
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 F-4E 67-0327 proudly displays a
F-4E 67-0327 proudly displays a "MiG Kill" star on her intake splitter plate. Photo courtesy of Scott Wilson.
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This photo, also kindly contributed by Scott Wilson, shows F-4E 67-0327 which was photographed while Scott was based at GAFB. She proudly displays a
This photo, also kindly contributed by Scott Wilson, shows F-4E 67-0327 which was photographed while Scott was based at GAFB. She proudly displays a "MiG Kill" star on her intake splitter plate. She also clearly shows the 20th TFTS "Silver Lobos" squadron badge. 67-0327 went on to be preserved at Luke AFB in Arizona.
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 F-4G 69-0254 and 69-7254 in the radar calibration docks April 1982 (photo courtesy of Scott Wilson)
F-4G 69-0254 and 69-7254 in the radar calibration docks April 1982 (photo courtesy of Scott Wilson)
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 The photographs above were all taken during a visit to Mojave Airport in October 2002 and show that the former George based F-4E trainers have found a new role - as aerial targets for use with live missiles at Tyndall and Holloman AFBs. Both aircraft - F-4Es 74-0652 and 74-0653 - still carry very faded badges on their intakes which look very like that worn by 21st TFTS machines just ten years ago. The F-4s are brought out of storage at Davis-Monthan, their protective spraylat removed, their systems charged and restored to flying condition, then flown to Mojave to be converted to QF-4E drones. Once converted they will be piloted to either the 475 WEG at Tyndall AFB in FL or Holloman AFB in NM where they will be flown as targets in live missile tests. Their service lives will end in flames over the Mexican Gulf or perhaps on a crash landing short of the runway back at Tyndall AFB. Ten years after the closure of George AFB and the retirement of the F-4 the trusty Phantom still serves her country.
The photographs above were all taken during a visit to Mojave Airport in October 2002 and show that the former George based F-4E trainers have found a new role - as aerial targets for use with live missiles at Tyndall and Holloman AFBs. Both aircraft - F-4Es 74-0652 and 74-0653 - still carry very faded badges on their intakes which look very like that worn by 21st TFTS machines just ten years ago. The F-4s are brought out of storage at Davis-Monthan, their protective spraylat removed, their systems charged and restored to flying condition, then flown to Mojave to be converted to QF-4E drones. Once converted they will be piloted to either the 475 WEG at Tyndall AFB in FL or Holloman AFB in NM where they will be flown as targets in live missile tests. Their service lives will end in flames over the Mexican Gulf or perhaps on a crash landing short of the runway back at Tyndall AFB. Ten years after the closure of George AFB and the retirement of the F-4 the trusty Phantom still serves her country.
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 F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
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Detail of F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
Detail of F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
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 Detail of F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
Detail of F-4E 74-0652 at Mojave October 2002
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 F-4E 74-0653 converted to QF-4E standard, here seen at Mojave in October 1982.
F-4E 74-0653 converted to QF-4E standard, here seen at Mojave in October 1982.
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