The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) bid a poignant farewell to its fleet of F-4 Phantom fighter jets on June 7, 2024, after 55 years of service. The retirement ceremony presided over by South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, Shin Won-sik, took place at the 10th Fighter Wing in Suwon, home base of the last surviving F-4E Phantom ‘Dokkaebi’ fleet. Various other military leaders, as well as former pilots and maintenance crew associated with the ROKAF F-4 attended the event.
The ceremony began with a recognition of ROKAF Phantom aircrews who lost their lives in the line of duty. After this, on the orders of Minister of National Defense Shin, a pair of Phantoms were launched from Suwon for the last time. One of those jets was painted in a jungle camouflage pattern reminiscent of the scheme first worn by ROKAF Phantoms, while the other F-4E was in the usual gray. The Phantom’s iconic ‘Spook’ was painted on their fuselage sides, along with the commemorative inscription: “From the hands of the people, to the heart of the people.”
The two Phantoms made some low passes and dropped flares over the airfield. As they landed back at Suwon, the ROKAF’s Black Eagles aerobatic team performed a display with their T-50B Golden Eagles.…
