The two Phantoms made some low passes and dropped flares over the airfield.
As the Phantoms soared one last time and landed at Suwon airbase, The ROKAF’s Black Eagles aerobatic team then performed a display with their T-50B Golden Eagles.After their aerobatic performance five F-16s launched a total of 55 flares, commemorating the F-4’s 55 years of service in South Korea since its introduction in 1969.
Next, a formation flight was performed by six F-16s and five FA-50s. The six F-16s symbolized the initial introduction of the first six F-4D aircraft in 1969, while the FA-50s represented five additional F-4Ds that were funded using donations from South Korean citizens, becoming the so-called ‘Pilseung Squadron.’Following them, two reconnaissance-configured RF-16s, which took on the mission of the RF-4C recce Phantom, performed a flight over the base.
Next came a formation of F-15K Slam Eagle, F-35A, and F-16 aircraft, which are stationed at air bases in Daegu, Cheongju, and Jungwon, each of which was formerly home to Phantoms.
The aerial displays ended with three F-35As, symbolizing the successful transition from the third-generation Phantom to the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Once the two Phantoms taxied back after their sortie, Defense Minister Shin hung congratulatory wreaths on the nose of the jets and wrote the commemorative message on the fuselage of one of them: “Beyond legend, into the future!”
At the very last part of this ceremony, former pilots and dignitaries could honor the last flying F-4 Phantom “80-743” with flowers to show their respect to 55 years of F-4 Phantom service within the RoKAF.
