South Korea’s F-4 Phantom jets, after over five decades of guarding the nation’s airspace, soared through the skies on a final commemorative flight, marking the end of an era for a fleet that has been a cornerstone of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).

The F-4 Phantom II, an emblematic figure of the Cold War’s military might, is making way for the next generation of combat aircraft.

Four F-4 Phantom IIs took off from Suwon, the aircraft’s home base, and embarked on a flight that retraced their storied 55-year history in South Korean service.

This journey was not only a salute to their invaluable service but also a symbolic handover of duties to the newer, stealthier, and more advanced aircraft like the F-35A and the upcoming homegrown KF-21.

The Phantoms have been part of South Korea’s strategic air defense since 1969 when the first U.S.-made jets arrived.

Their induction significantly bolstered the ROKAF’s capabilities, particularly against North Korean Soviet-made jets, during a time of heightened military tension on the Korean Peninsula.

These venerable jets, which were a step change in aerial combat during their time, played a pivotal role in asserting air superiority over the North. It was during a fraught period in the peninsular relationship, underscored by a failed assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung-hee by North Korean commandos in 1968, that the importance of an advanced air force was crystal clear to South Korea.

The Phantoms’ role was multifaceted: intercepting Soviet bombers, sinking North Korean spy ships, and over time transitioning from frontline air superiority fighters to serving in interceptor and reconnaissance capacities.

Notably, the Phantoms had been dispatched to intercept a Soviet heavy bomber in 1983 and again in response to incursions the following year.

In their final sortie, the Phantoms revisited historical sites synonymous with their service, including a trip above Cheongju, which used to be the Phantoms’ base from 1979 to 2018, now an F-35A operating base. They also flew in formation with KF-21 prototype jets over Sacheon, the site of Korea Aerospace Industries—the nation’s sole fighter jet manufacturer. This juxtaposition showcased the evolution of South Korean air power from the past to the imminent future.

The Phantoms donned various color schemes, reflecting their history: jungle camouflage and light gray harking back to their earlier livery, and the dark gray of their current guise. In addition, they briefly flew in formation with the next generation KF-21 fighter jets, demonstrating a poignant transition from the old guard to the new vanguard of ROKAF’s defense strategy.

The four aircraft that performed the farewell flight were part of the “Pilseung Squadron,” a name with significant historical resonance, reflecting the ‘certain victory’ ethos and the solidarity with the South Korean people who funded the defense effort.

The F-4 Phantom, a two-seater aircraft, was considered a powerhouse that deterred North Korean air activities. Its advanced radar missile capabilities at the time represented a game-changer in air combat, with the weapon controller in the rear seat playing a critical role in the aircraft’s operations.

As the country prepares for the Phantoms’ final retirement on June 7, the ROKAF once operated approximately 220 units, with only about ten remaining in service. The Phantoms’ departure is not just the retirement of an aircraft type; it closes a chapter in South Korean military history, underscoring the nation’s remarkable transition into a contemporary air power.

South Korea remains one of the last operators of the F-4 Phantom, long after the United States retired the aircraft in 1996. But as they bid adieu, the ROKAF looks to its “three-axis” deterrence system, which includes the KF-21, to maintain its edge in an ever-evolving security landscape marked by North Korea’s persistent threats.

Relevant articles:
– F-4 fighter jets hold farewell flight after over five decades of service , Yonhap News Agency, 05/12/2024
– SOFREP Pic of the Day: Farewell Flight of the Phantoms, SOFREP, 05/12/2024
– Phantom, who has protected the Republic of Korea’s airspace for 55 years at the 10th Fighter Wing in.., 매일경제, 05/12/2024