On June 7 the ROKAF retired the last of its F-4Es after the first Phantom IIs (D models) started defending South Korea 55 years ago. The country was one of the last operators of the venerable fighters and operated the last fighter ever built by McDonnell Douglas at its St. Louis plant. The remaining countries that are still flying the jets are Turkey, Greece, and Iran, although these too are expected to be retired in the next few years.
I saw 4 phantoms flying over Suwon end of May / early June. I was surprised to see they were still flying. I guess these are the same planes I must have seen. They were flying quite low, so got a real good look at them. Such cool looking planes!
I grew up under the landing pattern for the Cherry Point NADEP, and saw a lot of F-4s overhead after school. Probably F-4J and F-4N or F-4S. One day I was bummed-out to realize I hadn't seen one for a while. Just F-18s. Later I joined the USAF and got stationed in New Mexico, and saw F-4Es all the time. The Luftwaffe was leasing part of the base, and some planes. German pilots were flying USAF planes to train for the F-4F they had back home. One day they had enough Typhoons in service that they didn't need to train new F-4 pilots, so they ended the airplane lease and it was practically that week the USAF started converting those planes to target drones. 😕
Most of the Ds were provided by the US in exchange for ROKAF turning over its F-5As to Vietnam. Korea bought a handful of second hand F-4Ds but not a lot. The Ds were all retired over 10 years ago and the F-4Es that remained were transferred to Suwon. Daegu became the home of ROKAFs F-15Ks
ROKAF never operated the F-4Gs. US not keen to let others get close to that particular aircraft. It acquired 220 F-4s total (planes used for parts included). They were Ds Es and 20~30 RF-4Cs. The Phantoms will be replaced by F-35As. Ordered already. This will bring the total F-35As in ROKAF to 59.
We really should have ROKAF send all 200 F4s to Philippines! They literally have no Fighter jets, just 12 ROK F50s. I'm sure they could field 50 F4's and have plenty of spare parts with other 150. It is still a very bad ass all weather multi role platform capable as interceptor or attack role.
I was stationed in Busan, Pusan back then, in 1969 when the Phantom was introduced, and there wasn’t a single high rise building in Busan, the same for Daegu, spelled Taegu back then, which i was also familiar with, as the ROK was still recovering from the war, so it’s astonishing to see how the Koreans have progressed in rebuilding their country.
AGM-142 popeye missile was only integrated to F-4 Phantom and that was main reason they still operated F-4. Popeye was only long range air-to-surface option at that time. Phantoms are retiring since there are better options. (AGM-84H SLAM-ER and Taurus KEPD 350)
@@mv1-q6qfunny how many stories of air forces operating old and deadbeat aircrafts just because they can fire a specific type of missile (US Navy with the F 14, Argentina with the Super Eternard)
@@quakethedoombringer F14 was never an "old and deadbeat aircraft"! We would have been far better off modernizing the Tomcat then replace with F18s !!!
What are they replacing them with? My knowledge is kinda slim on the ROK F-4s, but the Wizard hat shows me that the ROKs are also letting go of their Wild Weasel variant. Which bird will take on that role?
Who knows at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if they were replaced with our(American ) F-35 heck maybe even F-16's. The US has been looking to offload the A-10 for awhile as well. I'm not sure if those will ever be sold... Maybe just used for parts.
ROKAF never had F-4Gs. US not keen to reveal its secrets. Korea bought 220 F-4 airfames (F-4D F-4E RF-4C). Have less than 10 now. The F-4E will be replacec by F-35As. 20 have been ordered that will bring the total to 59.
It aims to be a substitute for KF-21. Considering the relationship between South Korea and North Korea and the global situation, continuous development of KF-21 seems indispensable.
Too old! it will cost a fortune just to keep them flying. Much better to buy new jets. S. Korea in the past turned over some F-5s to Manila and they were flown by the Philippines before being retired.
Maintenance after each flight is too delicate and parts are cannibalized since they don't make them anymore. Also crews working on old airplanes who know ins and outs of these aircraft are retiring as well.
@@classictutorprobably the same reason Indonesia turns down the 2nd hand Mirage 2000 from Morocco. It's not worth the risk and hassle with an aircraft older than most of their pilots
Many of the airmen in the PAF are used to this aircraft. Servicemen used to machine some of the parts. Sometimes making it better than OEMs. These planes can be used for close ground support and trainers.
Philippines had ex-USN F-8 Crusaders at the same time the USN still had F-4 Phantoms II. The F-8 was an actual Strike Gun Fighter, unlike the early F-4s. PAF just wasted their Crusaders and proved they couldn’t be trusted with front-line fighters for decades. Let’s see if they can maintain their FA-50s first before wanting more capable aircraft.
@@Ryan_Christopher USA retired F8 Crusaders in early 70s. It is a woefully obsolete platform today. The Korean F50 is like a poor mans F-16. A modern Jet primarily used as a trainer and never confused for a front line interceptor or attack role. PAF has 12 of them. It is PAF most advanced Jet which is pathetic. ROKAF just retired 200 F4 Phantoms, enough that at least 50 could be used immediately with 150 used for spare parts. PAF just needs to train and pay pilots and pay for jet fuel. Additionally USA is beginning to retire many of older Arleigh Burke class Destroyers. We have 73 active, 10 being built and 9 planned. Like with F$'s these will be surplus ships to be mothballed for parts and or sent to breakers. I would lave to see Philippine's Navy get 1/2 dozen or more of these ships to be put in service and 1/2 dozen more for parts. Like with Phantoms they would be free. I'm sure USA would help foot bill for maintenance. Philippine's just needs to pay for to expand its personnel train and pay sailors. Philippine's and USA have always had a special relationship. With China becoming more aggressive by the day with its military build up and flexing its strength - aforementioned is way over due to implement. The world will be a safer place when Philippine's can field a far more capable and modern Air Force and Navy.
On June 7 the ROKAF retired the last of its F-4Es after the first Phantom IIs (D models) started defending South Korea 55 years ago. The country was one of the last operators of the venerable fighters and operated the last fighter ever built by McDonnell Douglas at its St. Louis plant. The remaining countries that are still flying the jets are Turkey, Greece, and Iran, although these too are expected to be retired in the next few years.
66 years after it's first flight, the F-4 is STILL a kick ass aircraft!
Beautiful farewell!
I saw 4 phantoms flying over Suwon end of May / early June. I was surprised to see they were still flying. I guess these are the same planes I must have seen. They were flying quite low, so got a real good look at them. Such cool looking planes!
That was very nice air formation, awesome F4 phantom jets.
I grew up under the landing pattern for the Cherry Point NADEP, and saw a lot of F-4s overhead after school. Probably F-4J and F-4N or F-4S. One day I was bummed-out to realize I hadn't seen one for a while. Just F-18s.
Later I joined the USAF and got stationed in New Mexico, and saw F-4Es all the time. The Luftwaffe was leasing part of the base, and some planes. German pilots were flying USAF planes to train for the F-4F they had back home. One day they had enough Typhoons in service that they didn't need to train new F-4 pilots, so they ended the airplane lease and it was practically that week the USAF started converting those planes to target drones. 😕
Congrats to 55 years of service flying the F-4 to the ROKAF.
Keep them well in museums. Never know when you need them back.
“Flying over Pyongyang…” *FULL AFTERBURNERS*
That would be something to see!
Will miss these birds when they are gone... They have such an iconic look
Brahhhhhhh
beautiful 😢
F-4 Phantom one of the most beautiful creations the United States McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO has created.
When I was at Taegu AB ( 83-85 ) the ROKAF was flying the F-4D and we had the E .
Most of the Ds were provided by the US in exchange for ROKAF turning over its F-5As to Vietnam. Korea bought a handful of second hand F-4Ds but not a lot. The Ds were all retired over 10 years ago and the F-4Es that remained were transferred to Suwon. Daegu became the home of ROKAFs F-15Ks
@@Bluewater78 ROKAF also flew F-5Es at that time at Daegu when I was there . Maybe a few Fs too but mostly I remember the Es .
ROKAF never operated the F-4Gs. US not keen to let others get close to that particular aircraft. It acquired 220 F-4s total (planes used for parts included). They were Ds Es and 20~30 RF-4Cs. The Phantoms will be replaced by F-35As. Ordered already. This will bring the total F-35As in ROKAF to 59.
We really should have ROKAF send all 200 F4s to Philippines! They literally have no Fighter jets, just 12 ROK F50s. I'm sure they could field 50 F4's and have plenty of spare parts with other 150. It is still a very bad ass all weather multi role platform capable as interceptor or attack role.
Think it's nuts that fighter planes still look modern over time. Hell even WW2 planes look modern.
Amazing
노병은 죽지 않는다.다만 사라질 뿐이다!
I was stationed in Busan, Pusan back then, in 1969 when the Phantom was introduced, and there wasn’t a single high rise building in Busan, the same for Daegu, spelled Taegu back then, which i was also familiar with, as the ROK was still recovering from the war, so it’s astonishing to see how the Koreans have progressed in rebuilding their country.
I do hope they can become 'inactive reserve' fleet, and not scrap them or donate to museums.
Bravo Zulu ROKAF!
Still flying the F-4E... Must be a challenge to maintain them.
AGM-142 popeye missile was only integrated to F-4 Phantom and that was main reason they still operated F-4. Popeye was only long range air-to-surface option at that time. Phantoms are retiring since there are better options. (AGM-84H SLAM-ER and Taurus KEPD 350)
@@mv1-q6qfunny how many stories of air forces operating old and deadbeat aircrafts just because they can fire a specific type of missile (US Navy with the F 14, Argentina with the Super Eternard)
@@quakethedoombringerlike rip out the modules - and stick them in a new plane right?
@@quakethedoombringer F14 was never an "old and deadbeat aircraft"! We would have been far better off modernizing the Tomcat then replace with F18s !!!
What are they replacing them with? My knowledge is kinda slim on the ROK F-4s, but the Wizard hat shows me that the ROKs are also letting go of their Wild Weasel variant. Which bird will take on that role?
Who knows at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if they were replaced with our(American ) F-35 heck maybe even F-16's. The US has been looking to offload the A-10 for awhile as well. I'm not sure if those will ever be sold... Maybe just used for parts.
ROKAF never had F-4Gs. US not keen to reveal its secrets. Korea bought 220 F-4 airfames (F-4D F-4E RF-4C). Have less than 10 now. The F-4E will be replacec by F-35As. 20 have been ordered that will bring the total to 59.
F-35As, as back in the day these were top tier assets. ROKAF already has some 160 F-16s bought from US and manufactured under license in S. Korea.
Upcoming KF-21 Boramae will replace them and other jets like F-15Ks already took over F-4's long range air-to-surface task.
It aims to be a substitute for KF-21. Considering the relationship between South Korea and North Korea and the global situation, continuous development of KF-21 seems indispensable.
Dope!
Rare sight to behold in this time and age.
They could give those F-4 phantom jets to the Philippines...it will be a great help!
Too old! it will cost a fortune just to keep them flying. Much better to buy new jets. S. Korea in the past turned over some F-5s to Manila and they were flown by the Philippines before being retired.
@@Bluewater78 Agreed. I wish I could help by giving F4 but too old aircraft are too unsettling for operations.
Maintenance after each flight is too delicate and parts are cannibalized since they don't make them anymore. Also crews working on old airplanes who know ins and outs of these aircraft are retiring as well.
@@classictutorprobably the same reason Indonesia turns down the 2nd hand Mirage 2000 from Morocco. It's not worth the risk and hassle with an aircraft older than most of their pilots
Many of the airmen in the PAF are used to this aircraft. Servicemen used to machine some of the parts. Sometimes making it better than OEMs. These planes can be used for close ground support and trainers.
This makes me wonder, is anyone out there still flying F-14 Tomcats?
Iran perhaps. I know that they had some years ago.
Bro
Give to the Philippines and it will be accept
아리가또🎉
My favorite ever, so sexy looking!!!!!!
Ukraine 🇺🇦 bound or Philippines 🇵🇭
If you give these old fighters to Ukraine, they’ll curse we out lol
should send most to Philippines
Philippines had ex-USN F-8 Crusaders at the same time the USN still had F-4 Phantoms II. The F-8 was an actual Strike Gun Fighter, unlike the early F-4s. PAF just wasted their Crusaders and proved they couldn’t be trusted with front-line fighters for decades.
Let’s see if they can maintain their FA-50s first before wanting more capable aircraft.
@@Ryan_Christopher USA retired F8 Crusaders in early 70s. It is a woefully obsolete platform today. The Korean F50 is like a poor mans F-16. A modern Jet primarily used as a trainer and never confused for a front line interceptor or attack role. PAF has 12 of them. It is PAF most advanced Jet which is pathetic.
ROKAF just retired 200 F4 Phantoms, enough that at least 50 could be used immediately with 150 used for spare parts. PAF just needs to train and pay pilots and pay for jet fuel. Additionally USA is beginning to retire many of older Arleigh Burke class Destroyers. We have 73 active, 10 being built and 9 planned. Like with F$'s these will be surplus ships to be mothballed for parts and or sent to breakers. I would lave to see Philippine's Navy get 1/2 dozen or more of these ships to be put in service and 1/2 dozen more for parts. Like with Phantoms they would be free. I'm sure USA would help foot bill for maintenance. Philippine's just needs to pay for to expand its personnel train and pay sailors. Philippine's and USA have always had a special relationship. With China becoming more aggressive by the day with its military build up and flexing its strength - aforementioned is way over due to implement. The world will be a safer place when Philippine's can field a far more capable and modern Air Force and Navy.
Still a bad ass looking plane!