On Friday, at the Suwon Air Force Base of the 10th Fighter Wing, an F-4 Phantom retirement ceremony was held.
After 55 years of steadfast service, this icon of air superiority took its final bow, marking the end of an era. Once a fearsome sentinel in the cold war and a guardian of South Korea’s airspace, the Phantom’s roar will echo no more across Korea.
The F-4 Phantom’s retirement event was steeped in reverence and nostalgia, accentuated by the presence of South Korea’s Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, who presided over the ceremony.
It was a momentous occasion, acknowledging the deep-rooted history of the Phantom and its integral role in the defense of South Korea. The minister’s words resonated with pride and emotion: “The Phantom never dies; it just fades away.”
The Phantom, or “Goblin of the Sky” as it was affectionately known, first soared into South Korean service in 1969, serving as a critical element in the balance of power during precarious times.
In total South Korea, operated 187 Phantoms, in three versions.
Over the course of the ceremony, Shin awarded honorary retirement certificates to the Phantoms and inscribed them with the commemorative phrase “Beyond the Legend to the Future!”
Veterans who had served alongside the F-4, including retired Major General Lee Jae-woo and Brigadier General Lee Jong-ok, were on hand to receive plaques of gratitude. “Goodbye to the Goblin of the Sky, F-4 Phantom,” said Professor Lee, echoing the sentiments of many as the assembly gave a rousing round of applause.
Pilots from the 155th Fighter Squadron, who shared their time with the F-4 until its retirement, offered their goodbyes to an aircraft that had become part of their identity.
The event was not only a farewell but also a showcase of military prowess, with the ROKAF’s Black Eagles aerobatic team and current fighter jets performing spectacular displays.
The sky was adorned with the flare of 55 flares fired from F-16s, each flare commemorating a year of the Phantom’s service.
Formation flights featuring F-15K Slam Eagles, F-35A, and F-16 aircraft paid homage to the Phantom’s legacy while signaling the continuity of South Korea’s air defense capabilities.
South Korea’s respect for the Phantom is part of a broader military history that values the contributions of earlier generations of equipment and the men and women who served with them.
As the F-4E Phantoms taxied down the runway for their final sortie, the pilots, exemplified by Major Kim Do-hyung, carried the pride of decades of distinguished service. Upon landing, the handing over of the control sticks symbolized the conclusion of the Phantom’s mission—a mission fulfilled with honor and valor.
With its retirement, the Phantom joins the ranks of military legends, its tale of guardianship inspiring future generations of aviators.
Relevant articles:
– Phantom retires after protecting Korea’s sky for 55 years, 동아일보
– F-4 Phantom Vanishes Into Retirement After After 55 Years Of South Korean Service, The War Zone
– The F-4E Phantom fighter jet, the, 매일경제