Phantom decommissioning banner. “From the hands of the people, to the hearts of people. A heroic and happy ending. The F-4 Phantom completes its mission and retires with honour.” (ROKAF)
7 June 2024 – Suwon Air Base, South Korea. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) bid an emotional farewell to the F-4E ‘Phantom II’. Overall, the Phantom, better known locally as the immortal ‘Dokkaebi (Goblin)’, served Korea for 55 years, outlasting even the U.S. Air Force which operated it for 53 years. ROKAF operated a total of 187 F-4s in three variants (F-4D, RF-4C, F-4E).
The decommissioning ceremony, meticulously planned by ROKAF, saw the attendance of Minister of National Defence Shin Won-sik, government, military and industrial dignitaries, past and present pilots and mechanics who worked on the Phantom, as well as a diverse representation of local and foreign media.
The significance of the occasion could not be understated. For over half a century, the Phantom have become the pride of those who served on it. With the Phantom fading into history, what remains are memories to be passed down to the next generation. It also marks the transition to the KF-16, F-15K, F-35A, and soon, the domestically developed KF-21.
As former Phantom pilot, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Lee Jae-woo commented “My heart still races when I think of the moment I flew the then-state-of-the-art Phantom, received mid-air refuelling, and landed at the Daegu base. 55 years have passed since then, and witnessing the Phantom’s final flight is deeply moving.”
Phantom pilot, Commander of 153rd Fighter Squadron, 10th Fighter Wing, Lt. Col. Kim Tae-hyung, remarked “Though its (F-4E’s) mission has concluded, the majesty that once overwhelmed the enemy and the thunderous engine roar that resonated through the earth will forever endure in the hearts of the ‘Phantom Men‘.”
In the commemorative address, ROKAF Chief of Staff, Gen. Lee Young-su, said “The Phantom, introduced with fervent desire and active support from people longing for strong national security, has steadfastly defended the skies of R.O.K. for over 50 years, repaying the citizens’ support. The final journey of the Phantom will be recorded as the most magnificent retirement of a fighter in the history of ROKAF.”
Minister of National Defense, Shin Won-sik, then added “The past 55 years with the Phantom have marked a history of victory for South Korea.” The introduction of the Phantom “swiftly overwhelmed North Korea’s air power,” and since then, “North Korea’s air force have been of no match”. He concluded,
“The Phantom never dies; it just fades away.”
Pre-ceremony Performance
01: Bandmaster of Air Force Military Band and Honour Guard. ROKAF Military Band was established in 1951.02: The Air Force Military Band puts up a captivating musical performance pre-ceremony.03: Sharp movements and daring throws thrill the crowd during the precision drill by the Air Force Honour Guard.04: Followed by an energetic water drum performance by the Air Force Military Band.05: The parade falls in for the beginning of the ceremony.06: Flags each representing a different wing in ROKAF line up the perimeter of the parade.07: Pilot from the 101st Fighter Squadron, operating F-5E/F from Suwon AB. The Red Scarf (‘Mahura‘) worn is a symbol of ROKAF pilots, traditionally presented upon completion of flight training course. 08: 153rd Fighter Squadron patch (top left), 10th Fighter Wing patch (top right), and Phantom aircrew tab (bottom right).09: The parade comprises of active and reserve personnel serving in Suwon AB, the final home base of the F-4E.
Arrival of Military Delegates
10: First of many helicopters ferrying VIP military delegates approaching Suwon Air Base. ROK Air Force AS-332L2 Super Puma Mk2 (02-257).11: ROK Navy UH-60P Blackhawk (93-0507). 12: ROK Army UH-60P Blackhawk (02343).13: ROK Army UH-60P Blackhawk (01869).14: ROK Air Force HH-60P Blackhawk (01-762).
Honouring of the Nation and Heroes
15: The ceremony begins with a salute to the national flag.16: The parade salutes the national flag.17: Aircrew of the F-4, past and present, were in attendance.18: Presentation of ‘Taegeuk‘, symbolising the South Korea national flag, and pilot helmet, symbolising the sacrifices of the pilots who lost their lives serving with the Phantom. 19: A moment of silence is dedicated to the fallen. Pictured, first row, middle, ROK Minister of Defence Shin Won-sik.20: The parade observes a moment of silence for the national heroes and patriots.
Final F-4 Sortie
21: Minister of Defence issues the last sortie order, clearing ‘Phantom 01 and 02’ for takeoff and for a successful mission execution. 22: ‘Phantom 01’, with ‘Spook’ markings, conducts an afterburner takeoff.23: ‘Phantom 02’ followed shortly, skimming the treeline on lift off.24: ‘Phantom 02’ painted in jungle camouflage, a throwback to the original paint scheme of the Phantoms when delivered to ROKAF in 1969.25: “Beyond the legend, into the future”. A commemorative video is played, highlighting the Phantom’s significant contribution as a stalwart defender of South Korean airspace for the past 55 years.26: Lee Jae-woo (left) and Lee Jong-ok (right), distinguished veterans who were part of the initial batch of F-4D aircrew and maintenance crew respectively, receiving a warm welcome.27: Ret. Maj. Gen. Lee Jae-woo, chair professor of Dongguk University, was part of the first batch of pilots selected for F-4D training at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1968, and brought the first F-4Ds to Daegu AB in 1969. Prof. Lee delivers a speech reflecting on his time with the Phantoms.28: ROKAF Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su, delivers the commemorative address.29: ROK Minister of National Defence, Shin Won-sik, deliverers the congratulatory speech.30: ‘Phantom 01 and 02’ return to base, performing an initial low pass and tactical pitch to break over show centre.31: ‘Phantom 01 and 02’ going vertical, dispensing 15 flares each.32: ‘Phantom 01’ lands on runway 33R, deploying drag chutes for the final time.33: ‘Phantom 02’ slowing down on runway 33R.
Black Eagles Congratulatory Airshow
34: Making an entrance from the rear with the Big Arrow formation.35: Transitioning to the Star formation.36: End of the first sequence – BUP, with the Arrow formation.37: The Black Eagles performance salutes the retirement of the “Big Brother” Phantom. 38: A sharp transition from Eagle to Big Arrow formation in the second sequence – Change Turn.39: Third sequence – Wedge Roll, features a 360-degree barrel roll in victory formation. In dedication to the F-4E’s retirement, #1 and #4, ex F-4E pilots, leave their smoke on.40: In the fourth sequence – Roll, Bon ton roulle, the Black Eagles perform a simultaneous 360-degree aileron roll. 41: #7 and #8 drawing the ‘Taegeuk’, symbolising the flag of South Korea.42: Black Eagles ground control team provides commentary and coordinates the display. Pictured middle, Commander, Lt. Col. Kim Chang-Geon.43: Concluding the exhilarating display with a victory break.
Final Shutdown and Honourable Discharge
44: Aircrew of ‘Phantom 01’ waving enthusiastically to the audience.45: Weapons System Officer (WSO) of ‘Phantom 02’ taking in the sights on the final taxi.46: Entering event area to loud cheers from the audience.47: Pilot of ‘Phantom 01’, Maj. Kim Do-Hyung, shuts down the F-4E for the final time.48: Maj. Kim Do-hyung, Commanding Officer, 153rd Fighter Squadron.49: Reporting the successful completion of the final mission. From right, ‘Phantom 01’ pilot and WSO – Maj. Kim Do-Hyung, Capt. Kim Ki-beom, ‘Phantom 02’ pilot and WSO – Maj. Jo Young-hwa, Capt. Park Ji-ho.50: Kneeboard depicts the profile of the final F-4E sortie.51: ROK Defence Minister Shin, writes a commemorative message “Beyond legend, into the future!” on the nose of the Phantom.52: Congratulatory wreath and ‘honourable discharge’ certificate is presented by Defence Minister Shin. 53: The Air Force military band performs a song to appreciate the retirement of the Phantom.
Congratulatory Flypasts
54: First, five F-16s approach from the rear. 55: The F-16s pull up into a bomb burst before dropping a total of 55 flares, one for each year of F-4’s service with ROKAF.56: Flares lighting up the skies in a spectacular fashion.57: Next, six KF-16s approaches show centre from the right, symbolising the six F-4Ds initially acquired in 1969.58: Five FA-50s followed shortly, symbolising the five F-4Ds that made up ‘Pilseung Squadron’, aircraft acquired through the donations of the Korean people.59: Two RF-16s, which took over the RF-4C’s mission, performed a series of tactical turns.60: RF-16 on a high-G turn, pods mounted to dispense purple smoke. 61: The RF-16s end their display by dispensing flares.62: Nine-ship formation, comprising of three F-15Ks, three F-35As, three KF-16s stationed at Daegu, Cheongju and Jungwon respectively. These bases are formerly home to the Phantom.63: Last, three F-35As flies over show centre, symbolising the successful generational transition of airpower from the Phantom.64: Three F-35As roar overhead, marking the end of the ceremony.
Post-Ceremony Celebrations
65: The F-4E is specially decorated with the message “From the hands of the people, to the hearts of the people” and ‘Spook’ icons wearing the ‘Red Mahura’ and warrior armour holding the AGM-142.66: Past and present aircrew of the Phantom leaving farewell messages on the fuselage67: A notable feature of the F-4, the splitter plate which diverts the boundary layer away from the engine intake.68: WSO of ‘Phantom 01’, Capt. Kim Ki-beom.69: Group huddle to celebrate a successful ceremony.70: Phantom aircrew gather for a group photo.71: The farewell was an emotional event, many brought flowers to lay on the fuselage of the Phantom after the ceremony. 72: Tulips placed on the warm J79-GE-17 engine of the F-4E.73: Chalk writings of the armament carried for the last Phantom sortie.74: Drag chute door on the tail of the F-4E.75: F-4E (78-0739). Sitting on the tarmac encompassed by the Suwon cityscape.76: F-4E (78-0743). Taking centre stage in the static display after the ceremony.77: Line-up of jets in the ROKAF inventory. From left, FA-50, F-16C, F-15K.78: Line-up of all F-4 variants that served ROKAF. From right, F-4D, RF-4C, F-4E.79: ROKAF RF-4C (67-0457). The reconnaissance variant of the Phantom had its nose modified to accommodate a variety of cameras.80: ROKAF F-4D (65-0732). Nose markings ‘Donation to the National Defence Fund’. One of five F-4Ds acquired in 1975 through donations from the Korean people, named ‘Pilseung Squadron’.81: ROKAF F-4E Phantom II (76-0508). 82: ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagle (08-057).83: ROKAF F-16C Fighting Falcon (93-4093), manufactured by Samsung Aerospace. 84: ROKAF FA-50 Golden Eagle (14-018). Domestically developed and manufactured by KAI.85: Emblem of the 10th Fighter Wing, Suwon AB.
