American units that operated the
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bow ...
are listed below.
U.S. Air Force

Following the test and evaluation of loaned Navy F-4Bs, the first production F-4C was delivered to U.S. Air Force in November 1963. The 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing at MacDill AFB was the first unit to receive the Phantoms. The first combat unit to receive F-4Cs was the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1964.
[Wilson, Stewart. ''McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phanton''. Notebook Publications, 2000. .]
File:B83 nuclear bomb test with F-4C Phantom 1983.JPEG, B83 nuclear bomb test with F-4C Phantom 1983
File:F-4C Phantom II of 557th TFS over Vietnam in 1969.jpg, F-4C Phantom II of 557th TFS over Vietnam in 1969
File:F-4C Phantom with AGM-12 Bullpups.jpg, F-4C Phantom with AGM-12 Bullpups
File:F-4C Phantoms with AIM-7 missiles at Cam Ranh 1967.jpg, F-4C Phantoms with AIM-7 missiles at Cam Ranh 1967
File:F-4Cs HawaiiANG KC-135A 1979.jpeg, F-4Cs HawaiiANG KC-135A 1979
File:F-4Cs RB-66C bombing Vietnam 1966.jpeg, F-4Cs RB-66C bombing Vietnam 1966
File:F-4c-64-0750-44tfs-18tffw-atcck-2oct73.jpg, F-4Cs 18th TFW deploy at CCK Air Base Taiwan 1973
File:F-4D 119th FW inctercepting Tu-95 1983.JPEG, F-4D 119th FW inctercepting Tu-95 1983
File:F-4D 171st FIS Michigan ANG in flight 1987.JPEG, F-4D 171st FIS Michigan ANG in flight 1987
File:F-4D 435th TFS appoaches tanker over Vietnam.jpg, F-4D 435th TFS approaches tanker over Vietnam
File:F-4D 13th TFS leads VF-151 F-4Bs on bombing mission 1971.jpg, F-4D 13th TFS leads VF-151 F-4Bs on bombing mission 1971
File:F-4D North Dakota ANG launches AIM-7 1983.JPEG, F-4D North Dakota ANG launches AIM-7 1983
File:F-4D 924th TFW AFRES at Kunsan AB 1985.JPEG, F-4D 924th TFW AFRES at Kunsan AB 1985
File:F-4E 3rd TFW dropping GBU-15 1985.JPEG, F-4E 3rd TFW dropping GBU-15 1985
File:F-4E 497th TFS over Korea 1986.JPEG, F-4E 497th TFS over Korea 1986
File:175th Tactical Fighter Squadron A-7D Corsair IIs with F-4E Phantom II.jpg, F-4E 347th TFW A-7Ds 114th TFG Panama 1979
File:F-4E with Pave Tack near Eglin AFB 1976.JPEG, F-4E with Pave Tack near Eglin AFB 1976
File:F-4Es 57FIS Tu95D 1980.jpeg, F-4Es 57FIS Tu95D 1980
File:F-4G F-4Es 52TFW 1984.JPEG, F-4G F-4Es 52TFW 1984
File:F-4E-81st-tfs.jpg, F-4E-81st-tfs
File:F-4G 81st TFS serviced at Spangdahlem 1990.JPEG, F-4G 81st TFS serviced at Spangdahlem 1990
File:F-4Gs 35th TFW over Saudi desert 1991.JPEG, F-4Gs 35th TFW over Saudi desert 1991
File:F-4G 480th TFS with F-16C 52nd TFW in flight 1989.JPEG, F-4G 480th TFS with F-16C 52nd TFW in flight 1989
File:F-4G Phantom launches AGM-45.jpg, F-4E Phantom launches AGM-45
File:RF-4C Kentucky ANG from below 1986.JPEG, RF-4C Kentucky ANG from below 1986
File:RF-4C Phantom 16th TRS in Vietnam c1965.jpg, RF-4C Phantom 16th TRS in Vietnam c1965
File:RF-4C Kentucky ANG over Germany 1983.jpg, RF-4C Kentucky ANG over Germany 1983
File:RF-4C Phantom firing rocket.JPEG, RF-4C Phantom firing rocket
File:RF-4Cs 67th TRW in flight 1988.JPEG, RF-4Cs 67th TRW in flight 1988
File:RF-4Cs 26th TRW over Germany c1985.JPEG, RF-4Cs 26th TRW over Germany c1985
File:An air-to-air left underside view of four 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft in formation during the Tactical Air Command bombing and gunnery competition Gunsmoke '85 DF-ST-87-03762.jpg, An air-to-air left underside view of four 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-4E Phantom II aircraft in formation during the Tactical Air Command bombing and gunnery competition Gunsmoke
''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...
'85 DF-ST-87-03762
List of units:
;Active Duty
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command (TAC) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 and headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. It was inactivated on 1 J ...
:
United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-4E -
Nellis AFB, Nevada (1969-1974)
:
1st Tactical Fighter Wing
The 1st Fighter Wing (1 FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Fifteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, VA. where it is a tenant unit, being supported by the 633d Air Base Wing.
Its 1s ...
-
MacDill AFB, Florida
::
27th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 27th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force 1st Operations Group located at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. The 27th is equipped with the F-22 Raptor.
The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest active fighter squadr ...
F-4E (1971-1975)
::
71st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1971-1975)
::
94th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 94th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force 1st Operations Group located at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. The 94th is equipped with the F-22 Raptor.
The 94 FS is one of the oldest units in the United States ...
F-4E (1971-1975)
:
4th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 4th Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command's Ninth Air Force. It is stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, where it is also the host unit.
The wing is one of two Air Force uni ...
-
Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina
::
334th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 334th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 4th Operations Group and stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
The 334th was constituted on 22 August 1942 as an incorporation of the No. ...
F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1991)
::
335th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 335th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 4th Operations Group and stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
The 335th was constituted on 22 August 1942 as an incorporation of the N ...
F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1990)
::
336th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 336th Fighter Squadron (336th FS), nicknamed ''the Rocketeers'', is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 4th Operations Group and stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
The 336th was constituted on 22 ...
F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1990)
::
337th Tactical Fighter Squadron 337th may refer to:
*337th Aeronautical Systems Group, inactive United States Air Force unit
*337th Air Control Squadron, part of the 33d Fighter Wing, an AETC unit, based at the USAF Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
*337th Airlift Squadron, part of ...
F-4E (1985-1987)
:
15th Tactical Fighter Wing -
MacDill AFB, Florida
::
43d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1970) F-4E (1970-1982)
::
45th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 45th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's (AFRC) 924th Fighter Group and stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The squadron currently flies the Fairc ...
F-4C (1964-1971)
::
46th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 46th Fighter Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 917th Operations Group at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. where it was inactivated on 1 October 1993.
The squadron was first ...
F-4C (1964-1971)
::
47th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1971)
:
31st Tactical Fighter Wing
The 31st Fighter Wing (31 FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe major command and the Third Air Force. It is stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) base ...
-
Homestead AFB, Florida
::
306th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1988)
::
307th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 307th Fighter Squadron is a McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle unit and is part of Air Force Reserve Command's 414th Fighter Group stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
The mission of the 307 FS is to assist the 4th ...
F-4E (1970-1988)
::
308th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 308th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where it trains pilots on the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
History World War II
Initially established un ...
F-4E (1970-1986)
::
309th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 309th Fighter Squadron (309 FS) is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
Mission
The 309th FS ("Wild Ducks", Tailband: B ...
F-4E (1970-1986)
:
33d Tactical Fighter Wing
The 33rd Fighter Wing, sometimes written 33d Fighter Wing, (33 FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Education and Training Command's Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida where it is a tenant un ...
-
Eglin AFB, Florida
::
40th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1965-1967)
::
58th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 58th Fighter Squadron is part of the 33d Fighter Wing, a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing for the F-35A, B, and C, organized under Air Education and Training Command's 19th Air Force, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Its m ...
F-4E (1970-1979)
::
59th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Air Combat Command 53d Wing, 53d Test Management Group at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron is responsible for ...
F-4E (1973-1979)
:
35th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 35th Fighter Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The wing is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)'s Fifth Air Force.
The wing was first activated in August 1948 at Johnson A ...
-
George AFB, California
::
20th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4F (1973-1978) F-4E (1972-1992)
::
21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4C (1972-1980) F-4E (Black 1980-1992)
::
39th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (White 1977-1980, Gold 1982–1984)
::
431st Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 431st Test and Evaluation Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Tactical Air Command 57th Fighter Wing stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It was inactivated on 30 June 1992 ...
F-4E (1972-1976)
::
434th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 434th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.
History World War II
The squadron was activate ...
F-4C (1967-1972) F-4E (1972-1976)
:
37th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 37th Training Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the 2nd Air Force and the Air Education and Training Command. As the host unit to Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, the 37th TRW is the predominan ...
-
George AFB, California
::
561st Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 561st Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force squadron assigned to the USAF Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The squadron (aviation), squadron was the last United States Air Force unit to fly the McDonnell F-4 Phanto ...
F-4E/G (Yellow 1980-1992)
::
562d Tactical Fighter Squadron 56 may refer to:
* 56 (number)
* one of the years 56 BC, AD 56, 1856, 1956, 2056
* 56.com, a Chinese online video platform
* Fiftysix, Arkansas, unincorporated community in United States
* Fifty-Six, Arkansas, city in United States
* "Fifty Six", a ...
F-4E/G (Blue 1972-1992)
::
563d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (Red 1975-1989)
:
49th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 49th Wing is a remotely piloted vehicle wing of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to Nineteenth Air Force, Air Education and Training Command. It is stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The wing has fought during the K ...
-
Holloman AFB, New Mexico
::
7th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 7th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 1st Operations Group. It is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
Overview
The 7th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, assign ...
F-4D (1968-1977)
::
8th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 8th Fighter Squadron is an active United States Air Force squadron, assigned to the 54th Fighter Group Air Education and Training Command, stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
It currently operates the General Dynamics F-16 ...
F-4D (1968-1977)
::
9th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 9th Attack Squadron in a United States Air Force squadron, assigned to the 49th Operations Group, stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron is a training unit for new pilots and sensor operators for the MQ-9 Reaper Remot ...
F-4D (1968-1977)
:
56th Tactical Fighter Wing -
MacDill AFB, Florida
::
13th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 13th Fighter Squadron is a fighter squadron of the United States Air Force. The squadron flies the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and is part of the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan.
The squadron traces its heritage bac ...
F-4D (1975-1982)
::
61st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1980)
::
62d Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 62d Fighter Squadron is part of the United States Air Force 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
Mission
The 62d Fighter S ...
F-4D (1975-1981)
::
63d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1981)
:
57th Fighter Weapons Wing
The 57th Wing (57 WG) is an operational unit of the United States Air Force (USAF) Warfare Center, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The 57 WG's mission is to provide well trained and well equipped combat forces ready to deploy ...
-
Nellis AFB, Nevada
::
414th Fighter Weapons Squadron F-4C/D/E (1969-1986)
:
58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing
The 58th Special Operations Wing (58 SOW) is a combat unit of the United States Air Force stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 58 SOW is part of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Nineteenth Air Force.
The 58 SOW ser ...
-
Luke AFB, Arizona
::
426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
The 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force fighter squadron. Its last assignment was with the 405th Tactical Training Wing, being inactivated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on 19 November 1990.
Durin ...
F-4
::
550th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4
:
67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 67 may refer to:
* 67 (number)
* one of the years 67 BC, AD 67, 1967, 2067
* ''67'', a 1992 song by Love Battery from the album '' Between the Eyes''
* 67 (rap group), a drill music group from London
See also
* 67th Regiment (disambiguation ...
-
Bergstrom AFB, Texas
::
7th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1967-1971)
::
10th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 010 may refer to:
* 10 (number)
* 8 (number)
8 (eight) is the natural number following 7 and preceding 9.
In mathematics
8 is:
* a composite number, its proper divisors being , , and . It is twice 4 or four times 2.
* a power of two, being ...
RF-4C (1966-1971)
::
22d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 22d Intelligence Squadron (22 IS) is a non-flying squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 691st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
The 22 IS is one of the oldest u ...
RF-4C (1966-1971)
:
75th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing 75th may refer to:
*75th Academy Awards honored the best films of 2002, held on March 23, 2003
* 75th Avenue–61st Street Historic District, a national historic district in Ridgewood, Queens, New York
*75th Grey Cup, the 1987 Canadian Football Lea ...
-
Bergstrom AFB, Texas
:
347th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 347th Rescue Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 October 2006.
History
: ''For additional ...
-
Moody AFB
Moody Air Force Base (AFB) is a United States Air Force installation near Valdosta, Georgia.
Geography
The base is in northeastern Lowndes County, Georgia, with the eastern border of the base following the Lanier County line. Georgia State Rou ...
, Georgia
::
68th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 68th Fighter Squadron was one of the longest-serving fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Force history, remaining active almost continually for 60 years. Known as the "Lightning Lancers", on the morning of 27 June 1950 pilots of the 68th Fighter-A ...
F-4E (1973-1987)
::
69th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1983-1988)
::
70th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 70th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron. The Squadron was constituted on 14 Dec 1940 as the 70th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). This squadron was activated on 1 Jan 1941 and patrolled the airspace around Fiji. ...
F-4E (1975-1987)
:
388 Tactical Fighter Wing
Year 388 ( CCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus without colleague (or, less frequently, year 1141 ' ...
-
Hill AFB, Utah
::
4th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 4th Fighter Squadron, "Fighting Fuujins" is part of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft, which replaced the unit's General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons in Augus ...
F-4D (1976-1979)
::
34th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 34th Fighter Squadron is part of the United States Air Force's 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. On 2 August 2016, the Air Force announced that the 34th had become the first squadron to achieve initial operating capability w ...
F-4D (1976-1979)
::
421st Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 421st Fighter Squadron is part of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft conducting air superiority missions. The squadron is one of the most decorated fighter squadrons in the ...
F-4D (1976-1979)
:
474th Tactical Fighter Wing -
Nellis AFB, Nevada
::
428th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 428th Fighter Squadron is part of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Currently, it operates F-15SG Strike Eagle aircraft conducting formal training missions to qualify Republic of Singapore Air Force crew in the F ...
F-4D (1977-1980)
::
429th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 429th Electronic Combat Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was first activated in August 1943 and participated in conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War.
The 4 ...
F-4D (1977-1980)
::
430th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1977-1980)
United States Air Forces in Europe
United may refer to:
Places
* United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community
* United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
Arts and entertainment Films
* ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film
* ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two f ...
:
32d Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 32nd Air Operations Squadron, nicknamed ''the Wolfhounds'', is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 32nd Air Operations Group, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 November 2005. Bet ...
-
Soesterberg AB, Netherlands F-4E (1969-1979)
:
57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, also known as "The Black Knights of Keflavik", is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The 57 FIS was last stationed at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. It was inactivated on 1 March 1995.
Histo ...
-
NAS Keflavik, Iceland F-4C (1975–1978) F-4E (1978-1985)
:
10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing -
RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
::
1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 001, O01, or OO1 may refer to:
*1 (number), a number, a numeral
*001, fictional British agent, see 00 Agent
*001, former emergency telephone number for the Norway, Norwegian fire brigade (until 1986)
*AM-RB 001, the code-name for the Aston Martin V ...
RF-4C (1966-1988)
::
30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. It was first activated in November 1940 as the 30th Army Reconnaissance Squadron, and from 1941 to 1943 was designated the 30th Observation Squadron. It part ...
RF-4C (1966-1976)
::
32d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The ROMP is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor designed by IBM in the late 1970s. It is also known as the Research OPD Miniprocessor (after the two IBM divisions that collaborated on its inception, IBM Research and the Offic ...
RF-4C (1966-1976)
:
26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing -
Zweibrücken AB, Germany
::
17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 17th Attack Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 432d Wing, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 17th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper.
Overview
The 17th conducts ...
RF-4C (1969-1978)
::
38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (26 TRW), stationed at Zweibrücken Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated along with ...
RF-4C (1965-1991)
:
36th Tactical Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 36th Wing is the host wing for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. It is part of Pacific Air Forces' Eleventh Air Force. The 36th Wing provides day-to-day mission support to more than 9,000 military, civilian, dependent ...
-
Bitburg AB
Bitburg Airport (german: Flugplatz Bitburg) is a commercial airport serving Bitburg, a city in the Rhineland-Palatinate state of Germany. It is located 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Bitburg, 32 km (20 mile) north of Trier, and 217&nb ...
, Germany
::
22d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
::
53d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
::
525th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 525th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 3d Operations Group at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska. The squadron was first activated as the 309th Bombardment Squadron in February 1942. After ...
F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
:
48th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW) is part of the United States Air Force's Third Air Force, assigned to Headquarters Air Command Europe and United States Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE). It is based at RAF Lakenheath, England. The 48 FW is the only F ...
–
RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom
::
492d Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 492nd Fighter Squadron (492nd FS), nicknamed "the Bolars" and "the Madhatters", is part of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England, where they operate the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle.
Mission
The 492nd Fighter Squadron is ...
F-4D (1972-1977)
::
493d Tactical Fighter Squadron
("Death to the Enemy")
, colors= Black/Gold
, march=
, mascot=
, equipment =
, battles=European Theater of OperationsWar in KosovoGlobal War on Terror
, notable_commanders=
, anniversaries=
, decorations=Distinguished Unit CitationNavy Meritorious ...
F-4D (1972-1977)
::
494th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1972-1977)
:
50th Tactical Fighter Wing -
Hahn AB, Germany
::
10th Tactical Fighter Squadron 010 may refer to:
* 10 (number)
* 8 (number) in octal numeral notation
* Motorola 68010, a microprocessor released by Motorola in 1982
* 010, the telephone area code of Beijing
* 010, the Rotterdam
Rotterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the R ...
F-4D (1966-1976) F-4E (1976-1982)
::
313th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 313th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing and stationed at Hahn Air Base, Germany.
History World War II
Established under the Northeast Air Distric ...
F-4E (1976-1981)
::
496th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 496th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe, 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, being stationed at Hahn Air Base, Germany. The squadron was inactivated on 15 ...
F-4E (1970-1982)
:
52d Tactical Fighter Wing -
Spangdahlem AB, Germany
::
23d Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 23d Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 52d Operations Group and stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 13 August 2010.
History World War II
The 23d Fighter ...
F-4E (Blue 1981-1987) F-4G (Blue 1983-1991)
::
81st Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 81st Fighter Squadron (81 FS) is a training squadron of the United States Air Force's Air Education and Training Command (AETC), stationed at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It is a Geographically Separate Unit of the 14th Operations Group, ...
F-4E (Yellow 1983-1986) F-4G (Yellow 1979-1994)
::
480th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (Red 1972-1987)
:
81st Tactical Fighter Wing -
RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge, United Kingdom
::
78th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
::
91st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
::
92d Tactical Fighter Squadron
HKT48 (read "H.K.T. Forty-eight") is a Japanese idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. HKT48 is named after the Hakata-ku, Fukuoka city of Fukuoka Prefecture, where Akimoto originally intended to base the group. The group currently performs ...
F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
:
86th Tactical Fighter Wing -
Ramstein AB, Germany
::
512th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 512th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 86th Fighter Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where it was inactivated September 1994.
The squadron was first activated as the 628th B ...
F-4E (Yellow, Yellow & Black 1976-1985)
::
526th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 526th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 86th Operations Group, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 July 1994.
History
World War II
Initially activa ...
F-4E (Red, Red & Black 1970-1986)
:
401st Tactical Fighter Wing -
Torrejon AB, Spain
::
612th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (Blue 1971-1983)
::
613th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (Yellow 1971-1983)
::
614th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (Red 1971-1983)
Pacific Air Forces
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). PACAF is headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam ( ...
:
3d Tactical Fighter Wing
The 3rd Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Eleventh Air Force. It is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The Wing is the largest and ...
-
Clark AB, Philippines
::
3d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1975–1991)
::
90th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 90th Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 3d Operations Group, 3d Wing, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Pacific Air Forces. The squadron is equipped with the F-22 Raptor fighter.
The 90 FS is one of ...
F-4E (1975-1977) F-4G (1977-1991)
:
8th Tactical Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force. Seventh Air Force falls under Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The Wing's 8th Operations Group is the succes ...
-
Ubon RTAFB, Thailand
:
12th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 12th Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Education and Training Command's Nineteenth Air Force. It is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The wing is the parent organization for the 479th Flyin ...
-
Cam Ranh Air Base,
South Viet Nam (1964–1971)
:
18th Tactical Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 18th Wing is the host wing for Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan and is the Air Force's largest combat wing. It is the largest and principal organization in the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force.
The Wing's 18th Oper ...
-
Kadena AB, Japan (1967–1989)
*
21st Tactical Fighter Wing
The 21st Space Wing (21 SW) was the United States Space Force's ground–based missile warning and space control wing. The 21st Space Wing was assigned to Space Operations Command and headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The 21st ...
-
Elmendorf AFB, Alaska (1970–1982)
*
32d Tactical Fighter Wing
The 32d Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force (USAF). It is assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) to activate or inactivate at any time. It was last active as the 32d Air And Space Operations ...
-
George AFB, California (1964)
*
51st Tactical Fighter Wing -
Osan AB,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
(1974–1989)
::
36th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The 36th Fighter Squadron is part of the US Air Force's 51st Operations Group at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions. The squadron was first activated ...
*
53d Wing -
Holloman AFB, New Mexico
*
54th Tactical Fighter Wing -
Kunsan AB, South Korea (1970)
*
66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing -
RAF Upper Heyford
RAF Upper Heyford was a Royal Air Force station located north-west of Bicester near the village of Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, England. In the Second World War the airfield was used by Bomber Command. During the Cold War, Upper Heyford was ...
, United Kingdom (1969–1970)
*
354th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 354th Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force wing that is part of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). It is the host wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Eleventh Air Force (11 AF).
The wing replaced the 343d Fighter Win ...
-
Kunsan AB, South Korea (1968–1970)
*
355th Tactical Fighter Wing 355th may refer to:
Aviation
*355th Fighter Squadron, an inactive United States Air Force unit
*355th Fighter Wing, a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command's Twelfth Air Force
*355th Tactical Airlift Squadron, a U.S. Air F ...
-
Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona (1971)
*
363d Tactical Fighter Wing
The 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing (363 ISRW) is a United States Air Force unit. The group is assigned to the United States Air Force Sixteenth Air Force, stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
The mission ...
-
Shaw AFB, South Carolina (1965–1989)
*
366th Tactical Fighter Wing
("Fortune Favors the Bold")
, colors=
, colors_label=
, march=
, mascot=
, battles= World War IIVietnam WarDesert StormOperation Enduring FreedomOperation Iraqi Freedom
, anniversaries=
, decorations= DUC PUC AFOUA w/ V Device RVGC w/ ...
-
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base ( vi, Căn cứ không quân Đà Nẵng) (1930s–1975) (also known as Da Nang Airfield, Tourane Airfield or Tourane Air Base) was a French Air Force and later Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) facility located in the city ...
, South Viet Nam (1969–1973)
*
388th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 388th Fighter Wing (388FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Fifteenth Air Force. The unit is stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Units
388th Operations Group (388 OG)
*4th Fighter Squadron (4 FS)
...
-
Korat RTAFB, Thailand (1969–1973)
*
432d Tactical Fighter Wing
The 432nd Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command at Creech Air Force Base near Indian Springs, Nevada. It flies General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-170 Sentinel Unmanned aerial vehicles.
The group operates unmanne ...
-
Udorn RTAFB, Thailand (1972–1974)
;Squadrons
*
43d Tactical Fighter Squadron -
Elmendorf AFB, Alaska (1964–1982)
: Assigned to:
15th Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 January 1964 - 15 July 1970
: Attached to:
405th Fighter Wing, 20 August 1965 – 31 October 1965
: Attached to:
12th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 12th Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Education and Training Command's Nineteenth Air Force. It is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The wing is the parent organization for the 479th Flyin ...
, 1 November 1965 - 4 January 1966
: Assigned to
21st Composite Wing, 15 July 1970 - 15 November 1977
: Assigned to
343d Tactical Fighter Group, 15 November 1977 - 1 January 1980
: Assigned to
21st Tactical Fighter Wing
The 21st Space Wing (21 SW) was the United States Space Force's ground–based missile warning and space control wing. The 21st Space Wing was assigned to Space Operations Command and headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The 21st ...
, 1 January 1980 - 1 October 1982
*
82d Aerial Targets Squadron
The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group and stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
The squadron was first activated as the 82nd Pursuit Squadron in 1942. ...
-
Tyndall AFB, Florida, (1995–2015 (Detachment 1 to
Holloman AFB, New Mexico ended 2016))
:Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) of
53d Wing at
Eglin AFB, Florida
;
Air Force Reserve
The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, with its headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. It is the federal Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force, consisting of commis ...
*
301st Tactical Fighter Wing
The 301st Fighter Wing (301 FW) is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Tenth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Carswell Field, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texa ...
-
Carswell AFB, Texas (F-4D, F-4E)
*
482d Tactical Fighter Wing -
Homestead AFB, Florida (F-4C, F-4D)
*
924th Tactical Fighter Group -
Bergstrom AFB, Texas (F-4D, F-4E)
;
Air National Guard
*
Alabama Air National Guard
:116th Reconnaissance Squadron, 117th Reconnaissance Wing (RF-4C)
*
Arkansas Air National Guard
:184th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 188th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
*
California Air National Guard
:194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (F-4D)
:196th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4E)
:196th Reconnaissance Squadron, 163rd Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
*
District of Columbia Air National Guard
:121st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 113th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)
*
Georgia Air National Guard
:128th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 116th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)
*
Hawaii Air National Guard
:199th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 154th Group (F-4C)
*
Idaho Air National Guard
:Reconnaissance Weapons School, 189th Tactical Reconnaissance Training Flight, 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
:190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Fighter Group (RF-4C, F-4G)
*
Illinois Air National Guard
The Illinois Air National Guard (IL ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Illinois, United States of America. It is, along with the Illinois Army National Guard, an element of the Illinois National Guard.
As state militia units, the uni ...
:170th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 183rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4D)
*
Indiana Air National Guard
:163d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 122d Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
:113th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 181st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
*
Kansas Air National Guard
:127th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 177th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 184th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D)
*
Kentucky Air National Guard
:165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 123d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RF-4C)
*
Louisiana Air National Guard
:122d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 159th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
*
Michigan Air National Guard
:171st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 191st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4D)
*
Minnesota Air National Guard
:179th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron; 148th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 148th Fighter Interceptor Group (RF-4C and F-4D)
*
Mississippi Air National Guard
The Mississippi Air National Guard (MS ANG), commonly known as the Mississippi Air Guard, is the aerial militia of the State of Mississippi, United States of America. It is, along with the Mississippi Army National Guard, an element of the Miss ...
:153d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
*
Missouri Air National Guard
:110th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 131st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
*
Nebraska Air National Guard
:173d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 173d Reconnaissance Squadron; 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 155th Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
*
Nevada Air National Guard
:192d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, later 192d Reconnaissance Squadron; 152d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, later 152d Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
*
New Jersey Air National Guard
:141st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 108th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D and F-4E)
*
New York Air National Guard
:136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group (F-4C and F-4D)
*
North Dakota Air National Guard
The North Dakota Air National Guard (ND ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of North Dakota, United States. Along with the North Dakota Army National Guard, it is an element of the North Dakota National Guard.
As state militia units, the u ...
:178th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 119th Fighter-Interceptor Group (F-4D)
*
Oregon Air National Guard
:123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 142d Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-4C)
*
Texas Air National Guard
:111th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 147th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-4C and F-4D)
:182d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 149th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
*
Vermont Air National Guard
:134th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 158th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D)
U.S. Navy

The Phantom entered service with the U.S Navy on 30 December 1960 with the
VF-121 Pacemakers at
NAS Miramar. The
VF-74 Be-devilers at
NAS Oceana
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana or NAS Oceana is a United States Navy Naval Air Station located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Nowadays, the station is located on 23.9 km2. It has total of 250 aircraft deployed and buildings valued at $800 mil ...
became the first deployable Phantom squadron when it received its F4H-1s (F-4Bs) on 8 July 1961.
[Thornborough and Davies 1994, p. 260.]
Frontline & Reserve
*
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) is a service component command of the United States Navy that provides naval forces to a wide variety of U.S. forces. The naval resources may be allocated to Combatant Commanders such as United Stat ...
/ Naval Air Force Atlantic - All based at
NAS Oceana
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana or NAS Oceana is a United States Navy Naval Air Station located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Nowadays, the station is located on 23.9 km2. It has total of 250 aircraft deployed and buildings valued at $800 mil ...
, Virginia
**
VF-11
Fighter Squadron 11 or VF-11 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. It was originally established as VF-5 on 1 February 1927, redesignated as VF-5S on 1 July 1927, redesignated as VF-5B in January 1928, redesignated VB-1B on 1 July 1928, ...
"Red Rippers"
**
VF-31 "Tomcatters"
**
VF-14 "Tophatters"
**
VF-32
Strike Fighter Squadron 32 (VFA-32), nicknamed the "Fighting Swordsmen" are a United States Navy strike fighter squadron presently flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet and based ashore at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their radio callsign is ''Gypsy'' an ...
"Swordsmen"
**
VF-33 "Tarsiers" (Also known as the "Starfighters")
**
VF-102
Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) is a United States Navy Strike Fighter squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Their call sign is Diamond, with the tail code NF, and they fly the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
History
Two distinct squ ...
"Diamondbacks"
**
VF-41 "Black Aces"
**
VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" (Formerly known as the "Vagabonds")
**
VF-74 "Bedevilers"
**
VF-103
Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103), nicknamed the Jolly Rogers, is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1952. VFA-103 flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (US). The squadron's ...
"Sluggers"
*
U.S. Pacific Fleet / Naval Air Force Pacific - All based at
NAS Miramar, California with exception of two squadrons forward deployed to / based at
NAF Atsugi, Japan
**
VF-21 "Freelancers"
**
VF-154 "Black Knights"
**
VF-51 "Screaming Eagles"
**
VF-111 "Sundowners"
**
VF-92 "Silver Kings"
**
VF-96 "Fighting Falcons"
**
VF-114 "Aardvarks"
**
VF-213 "Black Lions"
**
VF-142 "Ghostriders" (Later transferred to Atlantic Fleet prior to conversion to the
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after t ...
)
**
VF-143 "Pukin Dogs" (Later transferred to Atlantic Fleet prior to conversion to the
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after t ...
)
**
VF-151 "Vigilantes"
**
VF-161
VFA-161, nicknamed the ''Chargers'', was a Strike Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established at NAS Cecil Field as Fighter Squadron VF-161 on 1 September 1960. It moved to NAS Miramar on 19 September 1961, and to Naval Station Yokosuk ...
"Chargers"
**
VF-191 "Satan's Kittens"
**
VF-194 "Red Lightnings"
*
United States Naval Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve (USNR), known as the United States Naval Reserve from 1915 to 2005, is the Reserve Component (RC) of the United States Navy. Members of the Navy Reserve, called Reservists, are categorized as being in either the Se ...
/ Naval Air Reserve Force
**
VF-201
The VFA-201, Strike Fighter Squadron was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas (USA). It was established in 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) and d ...
"Hunters" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at
NAS Dallas
The Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex or Grand Prairie AFRC (formerly Naval Air Station Dallas or Hensley Field) is a former United States Navy Naval Air Station located on Mountain Creek Lake in southwest Dallas. The installation was e ...
, Texas
**
VF-202
Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202) nicknamed the ''Superheats'' was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve initially based at Naval Air Station Dallas,
Texas. Following that installation's BRAC-directed closure, the squadron relocated to ...
"Superheats" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at
NAS Dallas
The Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex or Grand Prairie AFRC (formerly Naval Air Station Dallas or Hensley Field) is a former United States Navy Naval Air Station located on Mountain Creek Lake in southwest Dallas. The installation was e ...
, Texas
**
VF-301
VF-301 Fighter Squadron 301 was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve in service from 1970 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was ''Devil's Disciples''.
History
VF-301 was activated on 1 October 1970 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing Re ...
"Devil's Disciples" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at
NAS Miramar, California
**
VF-302
Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302) was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve in service from 1971 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was ''Stallions''.
History
VF-302 was activated on 21 May 1971 and assigned to Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 ...
"Stallions" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at
NAS Miramar, California
**
VF-22L1 (Pacific Fleet) - Based at
NAS Los Alamitos
Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos is a joint base in Los Alamitos, California, United States. Formerly operated as a naval air station, the base contains the Los Alamitos Army Airfield and is sometimes called by that name. The base is al ...
,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
; later merged into VF-301 and VF-302 at
NAS Miramar
File:F-4J Phantom II of VF-92 in flight in 1973.jpg, An F-4J Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-92 Silver Kings, from the
File:F-4B Phantom of VF-161 intercepting Soviet Tu-95 in 1971.JPEG, F-4B Phantom of VF-161 intercepting Soviet Tu-95 in 1971
File:F-4J Phantom II of VF-33 in flight in 1970.jpg, F-4J Phantom II of VF-33 in flight in 1970
File:F-4S of VF-161 landing on USS Midway (CV-41) in 1981.JPEG, F-4S of VF-161 landing on USS Midway (CV-41) in 1981
File:F-4B Phantom of VF-21 dropping bombs over Vietnam 1965.jpg, F-4B Phantom of VF-21 dropping bombs over Vietnam 1965
File:F-4J Phantom of VF-102 in flight c1977.jpg, F-4J Phantom of VF-102 in flight c1977
File:F-4J Phantom of VF-114 intercepting Soviet Tu-16 1975.jpg, F-4J Phantom of VF-114 intercepting Soviet Tu-16 1975
File:F-4B Phantoms VF-51 Screaming Eagles in flight c1971.JPG, F-4B Phantoms VF-51 Screaming Eagles in flight c1971
File:F-5E and F-4S during air combat manuvering in 1982.jpg, F-5E and F-4S during air combat maneuvering in 1982
File:TA-4F of VC-13 and F-4N of VF-301 during air combat maneuvering 1979.jpg, TA-4F of VC-13 and F-4N of VF-301 during air combat maneuvering 1979
File:F-4S VF-301 in steep climb 1984.JPEG, F-4S VF-301 in steep climb 1984
File:F-4J Phantoms of VF-21 and VF-154 in flight c1970.jpg, F-4J Phantoms of VF-21 and VF-154 in flight c1970
File:F-4J Phantoms of VF-194 at NAS Miramar 1976.jpg, F-4J Phantoms of VF-194 at NAS Miramar 1976
File:F-4J Phantoms of VF-142 in flight c1971.jpg, F-4J Phantoms of VF-142 in flight c1971
File:F-4J Phantom II fo VF-31 in flight c1978.jpg, F-4J Phantom II of VF-31 in flight c1978
File:F-4J from VF-21 launching Sparrow missile c1970.jpeg, F-4J from VF-21 launching Sparrow missile c1970
File:F-4S Phantom IIs of VF-103 in flight over Nevada in 1982.jpg, F-4S Phantom IIs of VF-103 in flight over Nevada in 1982
File:F-4B VF-151 CV-41 TU-95.jpg, F-4B VF-151 CV-41 TU-95
Fleet Replacement Training

These kind of units are known in Navy parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of these particular training units was to provide fleet squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.
*
VF-101 "Grim Reapers" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at
NAS Oceana
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana or NAS Oceana is a United States Navy Naval Air Station located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Nowadays, the station is located on 23.9 km2. It has total of 250 aircraft deployed and buildings valued at $800 mil ...
, Virginia
: The
DACT detachment of VF-101 was located at
NAS Key West, Florida and flew both the
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta-winged, single turbojet engined Skyhawk was designed ...
and the
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bow ...
.
*
VF-121
VF-121 (Fighter Squadron 121) of the US Navy was a former Pacific Fleet Replacement Air Group (RAG) unit. Originally established on 1 July 1946, as VF-781, it was redesignated as VF-121 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 30 September 19 ...
"Pacemakers" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at
NAS Miramar, California
*
VF-171 "Aces" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at
NAS Oceana
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana or NAS Oceana is a United States Navy Naval Air Station located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Nowadays, the station is located on 23.9 km2. It has total of 250 aircraft deployed and buildings valued at $800 mil ...
, Virginia.
: The
DACT detachment of VF-171 was located at
NAS Key West,
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, a ...
, and flew the
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta-winged, single turbojet engined Skyhawk was designed ...
and the
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bow ...
. VF-171 assumed the Atlantic Fleet F-4 Fleet Replacement Squadron training role upon VF-101's transition to becoming the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after t ...
.
Fleet Support
These units provided services to the fleet such as air combat training and enemy electronic warfare simulation support.
File:F-4A F-8C and A-4B of VC-7 in flight c1968.jpg, F-4A F-8C and A-4B of VC-7 in flight c1968
File:Warning Star Skyhawk Phantom VAQ-33 1973.jpg, Warning Star Skyhawk Phantom VAQ-33 1973
*
VC-7 "Tallyhoers" - Based at
NAS Miramar, California
*
VAQ-33 "Firebirds" - Initially based at
NAS Norfolk, Virginia; later transferred to
NAS Key West, Florida in 1980
Flight Demonstration, Development, Test & Evaluation

*U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the
Blue Angels
The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. - Based at
NAS Pensacola, Florida with winter training detachment operations at
NAF El Centro
Naval Air Facility El Centro or NAF El Centro is a United States Navy Naval Air Facility located approximately six miles (10 km) northwest of El Centro, in Imperial County, California. NAF El Centro is under the jurisdiction of Navy Region ...
, California (1969-1974)
*
VX-4 "Evaluators" - Based at
NAS Point Mugu, California
*
VX-5 "Vampires" - Based at
NAS China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake is a large military installation in California that supports the research, testing and evaluation programs of the United States Navy. It is part of Navy Region Southwest under Commander, Navy Installat ...
, California
*
VX-30 "Bloodhounds" - Based at
NAS Point Mugu, California
*Strike Aircraft Test Directorate - Based at
NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
File:US Navy F-4 Phantoms from China Lake in flight in the 1970s.jpeg, US Navy F-4 Phantoms from China Lake in flight in the 1970s
File:Bicentennial themed F-4 Phantom II.jpg, Bicentennial themed YF-4J Phantom II
File:F-5E NFWS in flight with F-4J VX-4 1985.JPEG, F-5E NFWS in flight with F-4J VX-4 1985
U.S. Marine Corps

The U.S. Marines received their first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the
VMFA-314 Black Knights at
MCAS El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. In addition to attack variants, the Marines also operated several tactical reconnaissance RF-4Bs. Marine Phantoms from the
VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts arrived in Vietnam on 10 April 1965, flying close air support missions from land bases as well as from USS ''America''. Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents. On 18 January 1992, the last Marine Phantom, an F-4S, was retired by
VMFA-112 Cowboys.
[Crowther, M.J. and Baker, Rusty]
The History of VMFA-112
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved: 13 February 2008.
File:F-4N VMFA-531 dropping napalm 1982.JPEG, F-4N VMFA-531 dropping napalm 1982
File:F-4N Phantoms of VFMA-323 in flight with CF-5A and CF-5B 1973.jpg, F-4N Phantoms of VFMA-323 in flight with CF-5A and CF-5B 1973
File:F-4N Phantom VMFA-531 ElToro 1982.jpeg, F-4N Phantom VMFA-531 ElToro 1982
File:F-4S Phantom II of VMFA-333 in flight in 1985.JPEG, F-4S Phantom II of VMFA-333 in flight in 1985
File:F-4S VMFA-235 in flight 1982.JPEG, F-4S VMFA-235 in flight 1982
File:F-4N VMFA-531 CV-43 Apr80.jpg, F-4N VMFA-531 CV-43 Apr80
File:F-4Bs VMFA-542 Vietnam Jan1969.jpg, F-4Bs VMFA-542 Vietnam Jan1969
File:F-4J of VMFA-451 at NAS Miramar in 1976.jpg, F-4J of VMFA-451 at NAS Miramar in 1976
File:TA-4J Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom during air combat maneuvering 1980.jpg, TA-4J Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom during air combat maneuvering 1980
Frontline and Reserve
*
VMFA-112 (MA) - Based at
NAS Dallas
The Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex or Grand Prairie AFRC (formerly Naval Air Station Dallas or Hensley Field) is a former United States Navy Naval Air Station located on Mountain Creek Lake in southwest Dallas. The installation was e ...
, Texas (
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States.
Mission
Conduct air operations in support ...
/ Marine Air Reserve)
*
VMFA-115
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Officially nicknamed the "Silver Eagles" and on occasion ''Joe's Jokers'' after their first commanding officer Major Joe Foss, the squadron is ...
(VE) - Based at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina until 1977, then
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-122 (DC) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California, then
MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay or MCAS Kaneohe Bay is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) airfield located within the Marine Corps Base Hawaii complex, formerly known as Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Kaneohe Bay or Naval Air Station (NAS) ...
, Hawaii, then
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-134 (MF) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California (
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States.
Mission
Conduct air operations in support ...
/ Marine Air Reserve)
*
VMFA-212 (WD) - Based at
MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay or MCAS Kaneohe Bay is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) airfield located within the Marine Corps Base Hawaii complex, formerly known as Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Kaneohe Bay or Naval Air Station (NAS) ...
, Hawaii
*
VMFA-232 (WT) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California,
MCAS Iwakuni
is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
History
The Japanese government bought a large portion of what is today MCAS Iw ...
Japan, then
MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay or MCAS Kaneohe Bay is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) airfield located within the Marine Corps Base Hawaii complex, formerly known as Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Kaneohe Bay or Naval Air Station (NAS) ...
, Hawaii
*
VMFA-235
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235 (VMFA-235) was a United States Marine Corps squadron that most recently flew F/A-18 Hornets. Known as the "Death Angels", the squadron participated in action during World War II, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert ...
(DB) - Based at
MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay or MCAS Kaneohe Bay is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) airfield located within the Marine Corps Base Hawaii complex, formerly known as Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Kaneohe Bay or Naval Air Station (NAS) ...
, Hawaii
*
VMFA-251
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Known as the "Thunderbolts", the squadron was deactivated on 23 April 2020. If current plans hold, the squadron is to be re-activated by 2025 as ...
(DW) - Based at
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-312 (DM) - Based at
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-314 (VW) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California
*
VMFA-321 (MG) - Based at
Naval Air Facility Washington
Naval Air Facility Washington or NAF Washington is a United States Naval Reserve installation located near Camp Springs, Maryland in the United States of America. The facility was established at Andrews Air Force Base in 1958. As part of the 20 ...
/
Andrews AFB, Maryland (
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States.
Mission
Conduct air operations in support ...
/ Marine Air Reserve)
*
VMFA-323 (WS) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California
*
VMFA-333
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 333 (VMFA-333) was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron consisting of F/A-18 Hornets. Known as the "Fighting Shamrocks" and “Trip Trey”, the squadron participated in action during World War II, the Vietn ...
(DN) - Based at
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-334
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 334 (VMFA-334) was a United States Marine Corps fighter squadron. Known as the “Falcons”, it was part of Marine Aircraft Group 15 and Marine Aircraft Group 33. The squadron participated in action during World W ...
(WU) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California
*
VMFA-351 (MC) - Based at
NAS Atlanta
General Lucius D. Clay National Guard Center (formerly Naval Air Station Atlanta) is a military facility located south of Marietta, Georgia, United States. It is located immediately south of Dobbins Air Reserve Base and shares its runways.
Befor ...
/
Dobbins AFB, Georgia (
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States.
Mission
Conduct air operations in support ...
/ Marine Air Reserve)
*
VMFA-451 (VM) - Based at
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
*
VMFA-513
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502) is a United States Marine Corps fighter attack training squadron flying the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Known as the "Flying Nightmares", the squadron maintains the history of ''Mar ...
(WF) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California, then
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
*
VMFA-531 (EC) - Based at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, then
MCAS El Toro, California
*
VMFA-542
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) is a United States Marine Corps Aviation fighter attack squadron transitioning to the F-35B Lightning II. VMFA-542 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the ...
(CR) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California
*
VMCJ-1 (RM) - Based at
MCAS Iwakuni
is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
History
The Japanese government bought a large portion of what is today MCAS Iw ...
, Japan
*
VMCJ-2 (CY) - Based at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
*
VMFP-3 (RF) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California (Note: All Marine Corps RF-4B aircraft were consolidated into VMFP-3 in 1975)
NOTE: USMC squadrons shift their tail codes to the appropriate Carrier Air Wing (CVW) tail code when operating aboard aircraft carriers as part of an integrated USN/USMC CVW.
Fleet Replacement Training
These kind of units are known in Navy and Marine Corps parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of this particular training units was to provide Fleet Marine Force (FMF) squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.
*
VMFAT-101 (SH) - Based at
MCAS El Toro, California; later transferred to
MCAS Yuma
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma or MCAS Yuma is a United States Marine Corps air station. It is the home of multiple squadrons of F-35B Lightning IIs of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS-1), Marin ...
, Arizona
*
VMFAT-201 - Based at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina; consolidated with VMFAT-101 in 1974
See also
*
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bow ...
*
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II non-U.S. operators
*
List of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II variants
References
;Citations
;Bibliography
*Thornborough, Anthony M. and Davies, Peter E. ''The Phantom Story''. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1994. .
{{DEFAULTSORT:McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II U.S. operators
U.S. operators
F-4 Phantom II U.S. operators
American units that operated the F-4 Phantom II are listed below.
U.S. Air Force
Following the test and evaluation of loaned Navy F-4Bs, the first production F-4C was delivered to U.S. Air Force in November 1963. The 4453rd Combat Crew Training ...
United States Air Force lists
United States Marine Corps lists
United States Navy lists
1960s United States fighter aircraft