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Rise of the Phantom – Evolution of the Legendary F-4

A pair of German-owned F-4F Phantom IIs fly over New Mexico during a training sortie. The German F-4Fs sported U.S. Air Force markings since they were based at Holloman AFB, New Mexico (for the better weather and ranges). Both U.S. and German instructors manned the unit, the 20th Fighter Squadron. (Photo by Ted Carlson/fotodynamics.com)

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IT WAS MAY 10, 1972, when four Air Force F-4D Phantoms, using their AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, initiated a head-on engagement with a four-ship formation of MiG-21s. The MiGs had no weapons capable of engaging from a fontal aspect. Oyster Flight was part of a 28-ship F-4D prestrike MiGCAP configured to intercept any Vietnamese People’s Air Force (VPAF) MiGs that might attack the 92-plane strike force that followed. The target was the Paul Doumer Bridge, part...

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