Stunning Images Of The Legendary F-4 Phantom II

A McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II of the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 steaks over the flightline during the final military flight of the storied aircraft at Holloman AFB, N.M., Dec. 21, 2016. The F-4 Phantom II entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft in the USAF throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The F-4 flew bombing, combat air patrol, fighter escort, reconnaissance and the famous Wild Weasel anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. The final variant of the Phantom II was the QF-4 unmanned aerial targets flown by the 82nd at Holloman AFB.

A McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II of the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 flies over the flightline during the final military flight of the storied aircraft at Holloman AFB, N.M. These F-4 Phantom images were photographed by military veterans and service members. 

A QF-4 Aerial Target aircraft in manned configuration, piloted by Jim Harkins, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Detachment 1, performs a flyby at Hill Air Force Base, Oct. 25.

A QF-4 Aerial Target aircraft in manned configuration, piloted by Jim Harkins, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Detachment 1, performs a flyby at Hill Air Force Base.

Pilots of 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied F-4 Phantom II at Holloman AFB, N.M., Dec. 21, 2016. The F-4 Phantom II entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft in the USAF throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The F-4 flew bombing, combat air patrol, fighter escort, reconnaissance and the famous Wild Weasel anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. The final variant of the Phantom II was the QF-4 unmanned aerial targets flown by the 82nd at Holloman AFB.

Pilots of 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied F-4 Phantom II at Holloman AFB, N.M.

A pilot (Any reason why we don't name the pilot?) stands on the flightline of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., next to a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, in the markings of the aircraft flown by Col. Robin Olds during the Vietnam War. Pilots of the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied aircraft at Holloman AFB, N.M., Dec. 21, 2016. The final variant of the Phantom II was the QF-4 unmanned aerial targets flown by the 82nd at Holloman AFB. The F-4 Phantom II entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft in the USAF throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It was also flown by thousands of Navy and Marine Corps aviators.

A pilot stands on the flightline of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., next to a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, in the markings of the aircraft flown by Col. Robin Olds during the Vietnam War. These F-4 Phantom images were photographed by military veterans and service members. 

Airmen from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, Det. 1 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. hosted the final flight of the QF-4 Phantom as part of the Phinal Phlight Ceremony on Dec. 21, 2016.

Airmen from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, Det. 1 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. hosted the final flight of the QF-4 Phantom as part of the Phinal Phlight Ceremony.

Pilots of 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied F-4 Phantom II at Holloman AFB, N.M., Dec. 21, 2016. The F-4 Phantom II entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft in the USAF throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The F-4 flew bombing, combat air patrol, fighter escort, reconnaissance and the famous Wild Weasel anti-aircraft missile suppression missions. The final variant of the Phantom II was the QF-4 unmanned aerial targets flown by the 82nd at Holloman AFB.

Pilots of 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied F-4 Phantom II at Holloman AFB, N.M. These F-4 Phantom images were photographed by military veterans and service members. 

A QF-4 Phantom flies over Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., during the Phinal Phlight event on Dec. 21, 2016. This event marks the end of the aircraft’s 53 years of service to the Air Force.

A QF-4 Phantom flies over Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., during the Phinal Phlight event. This event marks the end of the aircraft’s 53 years of service to the Air Force.

A QF-4 Aerial Target aircraft in manned configuration, piloted by Lt. Col. Ron King, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Detachment 1 commander, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, taxis after landing at Hill Air Force Base, Oct. 25.

A QF-4 Aerial Target aircraft in manned configuration, piloted by Lt. Col. Ron King, 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, Detachment 1 commander, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, taxis after landing at Hill Air Force Base.

Messages scrawled on the nose gear door of a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, flown by the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 at Holloman AFB, N.M., illustrates the dedication and passion of F-4 lovers Dec. 20, 2016.

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Messages scrawled on the nose gear door of a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, flown by the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 at Holloman AFB, N.M., illustrates the dedication and passion of F-4 lovers. These F-4 Phantom images were photographed by military veterans and service members. 

The F-4 Phantom II entered the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1963 and was the primary multi-role aircraft in the USAF throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The F-4 flew bombing, combat air patrol, fighter escort, reconnaissance and the famous Wild Weasel anti-aircraft missile suppression missions.

Pilots of 82nd Aerial Target Squadron Detachment 1 led the final military flight of the storied F-4 Phantom II at Holloman AFB, N.M.

This is the first active duty aircraft to be painted at the Iowa facility. The F-4 was the workhorse fighter bomber for both the Air Force and the Navy during the Vietnam War, primarily providing close air support.

A Vietnam War era F-4 Phantom with a “show” quality paint restoration, on its way back to Holloman AFB after being painted at the Air National Guard military aircraft paint facility at Sioux City, Iowa.

Lt. Col. Todd Houchins, 53rd Test Support Squadron commander, pilots the last 82nd Aerial Target Squadron QF-4 Phantom on Tyndall Air Force Base during the final take off, July 24. The QF-4 Phantom will travel to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

Lt. Col. Todd Houchins, 53rd Test Support Squadron commander, pilots the last 82nd Aerial Target Squadron QF-4 Phantom on Tyndall Air Force Base. These F-4 Phantom images were photographed by military veterans and service members. 

A Turkish air force F-4 Phantom waits at the end of the runway after catching the barrier on a BAK-12 aircraft arresting system during an annual test Feb. 24, 2014, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Aircraft arresting systems are used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands.

A Turkish air force F-4 Phantom waits at the end of the runway after catching the barrier on a BAK-12 aircraft arresting system. Aircraft arresting systems are used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands.

An F-4 Phantom II from the Turkish Air Force lands after a mission during Exercise Eager Lion May 26, 2014, at an air base in northern Jordan. Throughout the two-week exercise, Service members from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force joined forces with more than 20 partners throughout Jordan to build functional capacity, enhance readiness and promote interoperability.

An F-4 Phantom II from the Turkish Air Force lands after a mission during Exercise Eager Lion at an air base in northern Jordan. You might also like stunning Images of the EA-6B Prowler. See all military aircraft images.