On May 9, 2024, the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) commemorated the upcoming retirement of its F-4E Phantom II fighters with a final flight of four F-4Es across South Korea. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) paid tribute to over five decades of service by the Cold War-era fighter aircraft, which have been a stalwart in South Korea’s defense against northern threats since 1969.

This ceremonious flight not only marked the end of an era but also the beginning of a new chapter in South Korean aerial defense, as the F-4 is set to pass the baton to more modern aircraft like the F-35 and the indigenous KF-21 Boramae fighters.

The final retirement of the F-4 Phantom II is scheduled for June 7, 2024, during a ceremony at Suwon Air Base, leaving only a few countries, including Greece, Turkey, and Iran, still operating these iconic jets.

The four participating F-4E fighters, belonging to the 10th Fighter Wing’s 153rd Fighter Squadron, the last ROKAF unit to operate the type, displayed special liveries that echoed their storied past.

One jet donned a jungle camouflage pattern from the 1969 era up until the 1980s, and another featured a two-tone light grey camouflage used from the late 1980s until the early 1990s.

The remaining two aircraft kept the current ROKAF dark grey livery but were adorned with a poignant decal that read ‘From the hands of the people, to the hearts of the people: 1969-2024’.

During the three-hour flight, the F-4s retraced significant moments of their service, soaring above the central city of Cheongju, the airbase where they had been stationed from 1979 to 2018.

The jets then revisited the east coast airspace, symbolic of their role during the interception of a Soviet heavy bomber in 1983. The flight included a stop in Daegu for refueling, a location that marked a shift in the balance of air power between the two Koreas when the F-4s first arrived.

The farewell flight showcased a fusion of the old and the new as the F-4Es flew in formation with two KF-21 Boramae fighters, the latest in South Korea’s aviation technology.

The KF-21, which first flew on July 19, 2022, is expected to achieve initial operating capability by 2026 and will play a pivotal role in South Korea’s “three-axis” deterrence system against North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats.

The Phantoms’ final journey also took them to Sacheon, home to Korea Aerospace Industries, where they briefly flew alongside the KF-21 prototype jets. The route continued along the west coast, where the Phantoms had sunk a North Korean spy ship in 1971, before making their return to Suwon.

The ROKAF once operated around 220 Phantoms but has since whittled down the fleet, with only about ten units remaining in service at the time of the farewell flight.

The F-4 Phantom II first flew in 1958, developed initially as an interceptor for the United States Navy, and evolved into a multi-role fighter-bomber, adapted for reconnaissance and electronic warfare missions.

The retirement of the F-4 Phantom II is a significant milestone in South Korea’s aviation history. As these storied jets take their final bow, they leave behind a legacy of resilience and evolution, paving the way for a future where the skies over the peninsula will be guarded by the next generation of fighter aircraft.

The stoic farewell flight symbolizes the transformation of South Korea from a nation seeking to fortify its air defenses to a modern economic powerhouse with cutting-edge military might.

Relevant articles:
– South Korea makes special flight to say goodbye to the F, Aeroflap
– 4Es conduct farewell flight as the type bows out of South Korean service, European Security & Defence
– F-4 fighter jets hold farewell flight after over five decades of service, Yonhap News Agency
– Code 1 Aviation, code1aviation.com