Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

F-4 Phantoms: The Strategic Secret Weapon U.S. Readers Should Know About – Part 1

Eugene Park Views  

도입 50년 F-4 ‘팬텀’ 이제 퇴역하는 이유…평양 정밀타격 장거리미사일 ‘팝아이’ 유일 운용[이현호 기자의 밀리터리!톡]
An F-4E Phantom fighter jet is taking off from the runway. Photo provided by the Air Force

The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps utilized the F-4 “Phantom,” which made its maiden flight in 1958, a formidable force in aerial warfare during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. The introduction of the F-4 to Korea was led by heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following the 1968 North Korean armed invasion of the Blue House and the USS Pueblo incident.

Subsequently, The Korean Peninsula would find it difficult to defend itself against North Korean attacks, South Korea claimed after deciding to send a large number of troops to the Vietnam War, managing to get the U.S.’s agreement for the introduction of the F-4 during the Honolulu summit and the second U.S.-Korea defense ministers’ meeting.

Finally, on August 29, 1969, six Air Force pilots flew the fighter jets across the Pacific to the Daegu Base, marking the establishment of the 151st Fighter Squadron (Phantom Squadron) and the beginning of the Air Force’s “Phantom Era.” It has since been known as the “Mig Killer” and the “Goblin of the Sky,” protecting the skies over the Korean Peninsula for over 50 years.

The first model introduced was the F-4D Phantom, a powerful asset capable of taking on North Korea’s latest MiG-21 fighters and IL-28 bombers. The Korean Air Force was the first to introduce the F-4 Phantom in Asia. Subsequently, by 1989, 80 F-4Ds (Block 26–28) had been deployed, five of which had been provided by the national defense fund that the public had raised. They served on the front lines of national air defense.

It has a brilliant record, including identifying and intercepting Soviet TU-16s in 1983, Soviet TU-95s and nuclear submarines in 1984, a spy ship off Busan in 1985, and a Russian reconnaissance aircraft (IL-20) that appeared in the East Sea in 1998. The F-4D Phantom fighter jets were decommissioned from the Daegu base on June 16, 2010, after 41 years of service.

The F-4E, another model with an improved engine, electronic equipment, and radar performance, was introduced in 1979, and over 100 units were brought in on several occasions. Over 170 F-4Ds and F-4Es introduced to the Air Force were the core force in air defense and ground support until the KF-16 fighter was deployed in the 1990s.

Part 2
Part 3

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[TECH] Latest Stories

  • Is the Toyota Rumion the Best Value Minivan You Can Buy? Here’s Why It Might Be
  • Lexus Reveals Sporty New ES Facelift with Aggressive Design Changes
  • 2026 Toyota RAV4: Bigger, Bolder, and Hybrid-Only—Is It the Future of SUVs?
  • How Honda’s Edix MPV Turns a Compact Design into a Spacious 6-Seater – You’ll Be Shocked
  • Is Elon Musk’s Trump Support Killing Tesla's Brand? Truth Behind the Sticker Backlash
  • Is China's Xiaomi SU7 a Road Warrior or a Circuit Breaker? Shocking Track Failures Revealed

Weekly Best Articles

  • Is the Toyota Rumion the Best Value Minivan You Can Buy? Here’s Why It Might Be
  • Lexus Reveals Sporty New ES Facelift with Aggressive Design Changes
  • 2026 Toyota RAV4: Bigger, Bolder, and Hybrid-Only—Is It the Future of SUVs?
  • Byeon Woo Seok’s Hot Streak Continues—Wins Hot Character Award for the Sixth Consecutive Month
  • Jung Hae In Gets Personal: Family First and Thoughts on Marriage Revealed
  • Min Hee Jin Faces $3.6 Million Lawsuit Over ‘False Claims’ About NewJeans Management
  • NewJeans Makes Waves in Japan: ‘Supernatural’ Nominated for the Prestigious Japan Record Award
  • Bruno Mars and Rosé Set to Steal the Show at 2024 MAMA Awards with ‘APT.’ Performance
  • How Honda’s Edix MPV Turns a Compact Design into a Spacious 6-Seater – You’ll Be Shocked
  • Is Elon Musk’s Trump Support Killing Tesla’s Brand? Truth Behind the Sticker Backlash
  • Is China’s Xiaomi SU7 a Road Warrior or a Circuit Breaker? Shocking Track Failures Revealed
  • Lee So Ra Reacts to Unexpected Exit from ‘Supermarket Sora’ Show

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Lee So Ra Reacts to Unexpected Exit from ‘Supermarket Sora’ Show

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Lee Min Jung Gets Into the Holiday Spirit Despite Busy Filming Schedule

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Kim Junsu to Pursue Legal Action Against Malicious Rumors Following Extortion Incident

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Chae Soo Bin’s Surprising Hobby? Lying Down and Eating Cereal to Recharge

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    BTS’s Jin Reveals How His Military Experience Influenced His Music Career

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Hong Seok Cheon Strikes Back: Celebrity Warns Fans Against Impersonators

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Han Hye Jin Flaunts Timeless Charm in Latest Beachside Snaps

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Kang So Ra Overwhelmed with Pride at Daughter’s Adorable Recital Moment

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Lovelyz's Jiae and Yein Spill on Their Whiskey Nights and Soju Secrets

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Jin's 'Happy' Hits No. 1 Across the Globe, Celebrates with Seoul Showcase

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Weekly Best Articles

  • Is the Toyota Rumion the Best Value Minivan You Can Buy? Here’s Why It Might Be
  • Lexus Reveals Sporty New ES Facelift with Aggressive Design Changes
  • 2026 Toyota RAV4: Bigger, Bolder, and Hybrid-Only—Is It the Future of SUVs?
  • Byeon Woo Seok’s Hot Streak Continues—Wins Hot Character Award for the Sixth Consecutive Month
  • Jung Hae In Gets Personal: Family First and Thoughts on Marriage Revealed
  • Min Hee Jin Faces $3.6 Million Lawsuit Over ‘False Claims’ About NewJeans Management
  • NewJeans Makes Waves in Japan: ‘Supernatural’ Nominated for the Prestigious Japan Record Award
  • Bruno Mars and Rosé Set to Steal the Show at 2024 MAMA Awards with ‘APT.’ Performance
  • How Honda’s Edix MPV Turns a Compact Design into a Spacious 6-Seater – You’ll Be Shocked
  • Is Elon Musk’s Trump Support Killing Tesla’s Brand? Truth Behind the Sticker Backlash
  • Is China’s Xiaomi SU7 a Road Warrior or a Circuit Breaker? Shocking Track Failures Revealed
  • Lee So Ra Reacts to Unexpected Exit from ‘Supermarket Sora’ Show

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Lee So Ra Reacts to Unexpected Exit from ‘Supermarket Sora’ Show

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Lee Min Jung Gets Into the Holiday Spirit Despite Busy Filming Schedule

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Kim Junsu to Pursue Legal Action Against Malicious Rumors Following Extortion Incident

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Chae Soo Bin’s Surprising Hobby? Lying Down and Eating Cereal to Recharge

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    BTS’s Jin Reveals How His Military Experience Influenced His Music Career

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Hong Seok Cheon Strikes Back: Celebrity Warns Fans Against Impersonators

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Han Hye Jin Flaunts Timeless Charm in Latest Beachside Snaps

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Kang So Ra Overwhelmed with Pride at Daughter’s Adorable Recital Moment

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Lovelyz's Jiae and Yein Spill on Their Whiskey Nights and Soju Secrets

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Jin's 'Happy' Hits No. 1 Across the Globe, Celebrates with Seoul Showcase

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Share it on...