F-4 Phantom II

The F-4 Phantom II is a twin engine, all weather, tactical fighter-bomber. It originally performed three tactical air roles: air superiority, interdiction and close-air support.

In its air-to-ground role, the F-4 Phantom II could carry twice the normal load of a World War II-era B-17 bomber. Weapons and/or external tanks can be carried on nine external store stations. A typical configuration for an F-4C in 1967 consisted of four AIM-7E and four AIM-9B air-to-air missiles, and eight 750-pound Mk 117 bombs.

The aircraft also carried two external fuel tanks on the outboard pylons and one ALQ-87 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pod on the right inboard pylon. The F-4E also had an internally mounted 20mm multibarrel gun with improved fire-control system.

When operating in the attack or close air support role, the aircraft normally carried air-to-air missiles for self protection.

The aircraft continued to serve the Air Force, including a vital role in Desert Storm, until it was retired in 1996.

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An air-to-air right side view of an 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E Phantom II aircraft releasing 18 Mark-82 500-pound bombs over the Bardenas Reales Gunnery Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Nolan)An air-to-air right side view of an 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E Phantom II aircraft releasing 18 Mark-82 500-pound bombs over the Bardenas Reales Gunnery Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Nolan)

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Early F-4s in Southeast Asia were painted gray, but by 1966, they were camouflaged like the Phantom at the bottom of the photograph. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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