RISE OF THE PHANTOM - Evolution of the Legendary F-4

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 of the highway network from China into Hanoi.

- JOHN LOWERY

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) Disco, an EC-12 1 radar aircraft, had warned of MiG-21 “Fishbeds” departing the VNAF’s Kep Air Base near Hanoi. In addition, Red Crown, which provided radar coverage from the USS Chicago, manned by Radioman Larry Nowell, reported four separate MiG elements just getting airborne. After repeatedly feinting towards the Phantoms, at 0942 hours the MiGs headed for the area where the MiGCAP interceptors were orbiting. Oyster Flight had turned to meet them. Oyster 01, flown by Maj. Robert Lodge and WSO (Weapons System Officer) Capt. Roger Locher (a crew with two previous kills), enjoyed a “missilefree” condition, wherein visual identification was not required. They were also equipped with newly acquired Combat Tree capability, wherein they could see the enemy’s IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) on their radar. (This was thanks to covert acquisition of Soviet IFF transponders from the Israelis.) At eight nautical miles and at 1.4 Mach, Maj. Lodge fired a single AIM-7. The missile climbed and tracked but detonated early when its motor burned out. Lodge then fired a second and saw the missile climbing about 20 degrees towards its still invisible target.