McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II U.S. operators

American units that operated the F-4 Phantom II are listed below.

U.S. Navy
The Phantom entered service with the U.S Navy on 30 December 1960 with the VF-121 Pacemakers at NAS Miramar. The VF-74 Be-devilers at NAS Oceana became the first deployable Phantom squadron when it received its F4H-1s (F-4Bs) on 8 July 1961.

Frontline & Reserve

 * U.S. Atlantic Fleet
 * VF-11 "Red Rippers"
 * VF-31 "Tomcatters"
 * VF-14 "Tophatters"
 * VF-32 "Swordsmen"
 * VF-33 "Tarsiers" (Also known as the "Starfighters")
 * VF-102 "Diamondbacks"
 * VF-41 "Black Aces"
 * VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" (Formerly known as the "Vagabonds")
 * VF-74 "Bedevilers"
 * VF-103 "Sluggers"




 * U.S. Pacific Fleet
 * VF-21 "Freelancers"
 * VF-154 "Black Knights"
 * VF-51 "Screaming Eagles"
 * VF-111 "Sundowners"
 * VF-92 "Silver Kings"
 * VF-96 "Fighting Falcons"
 * VF-114 "Aardvarks"
 * VF-213 "Black Lions"
 * VF-142 "Ghostriders"
 * VF-143 "Pukin Dogs"
 * VF-151 "Vigilantes"
 * VF-161 "Chargers"
 * VF-191 "Satan's Kittens"
 * VF-194 "Red Lighnings"


 * United States Navy Reserve
 * VF-201 "Hunters" (Atlantic Fleet)
 * VF-202 "Superheats" (Atlantic Fleet)
 * VF-301 "Devil's Disciples" (Pacific Fleet)
 * VF-302 "Stallions" (Pacific Fleet)
 * VF-22L1 "?" (Pacific Fleet. NB: Was based at NAS Los Alamitos, California)

Training


These kind of units are known in Navy parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of these particular training units was to provide fleet squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.


 * VF-101 "Grim Reapers" (Atlantic Fleet)
 * VF-121 "Pacemakers" (Pacific Fleet)
 * VF-171 "Aces" (Atlantic Fleet. NB: The DACT detachment of this squadron was located at NAS Key West, Florida, and flew the A-4 Skyhawk. This unit assumed the F-4 training role in the Atlantic Fleet upon VF-101's transition to the F-14 Tomcat)

Fleet Support
These units provided services to the fleet such as aerial target-towing, air combat training and enemy electronic warfare simulation support.


 * VC-7 "Tallyhoers"
 * VAQ-33 "Firebirds"

Flight Demonstration, Development, Test & Evaluation

 * Blue Angels - Naval Air Station Pensacola (1969-1974)
 * VX-4 "Evaluators"
 * VX-5 "Vampires"
 * VX-30 "Bloodhounds"

U.S. Marine Corps


The U.S. Marines received their first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the VMFA-314 Black Knights at MCAS El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. In addition to attack variants, the Marines also operated several tactical reconnaissance RF-4Bs. Marine Phantoms from the VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts arrived in Vietnam on 10 April 1965, flying close air support missions from land bases as well as from USS America. Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents. On 18 January 1992, the last Marine Phantom, an F-4S, was retired by VMFA-112 Cowboys.


 * VMFA-112 (DC)
 * VMFA-115 (tail code "VE")
 * VMFA-122 (MA)
 * VMFA-134 (MF)
 * VMFA-212 (WD)
 * VMFA-232 (WT)
 * VMFA-235 (DB)
 * VMFA-251 (DW)
 * VMFA-312 (DM)
 * VMFA-314 (VW)
 * VMFA-321 (MG)
 * VMFA-323 (WS)
 * VMFA-333 (DN)
 * VMFA-334 (WU)
 * VMFA-351 (MC)
 * VMFA-451 (VM)
 * VMFA-513 (WF)
 * VMFA-531 (EC)
 * VMFA-542 (CR)
 * VMCJ-1  (RM)
 * VMFP-3 (RF or NF as part of CVW-5)
 * VMFAT-101 (SH)

U.S. Air Force


Following the test and evaluation of loaned Navy F-4Bs, the first production F-4C was delivered to U.S. Air Force in November 1963. The 4453th Combat Crew Training Wing at MacGill AFB was the first unit to receive the Phantoms. The first combat unit to receive F-4Cs was the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1964.

List of units:


 * Active Duty
 * United States Air Force Thunderbirds - Nellis Air Force Base (1969-1974)

Tactical Air Command
 * 1st Tactical Fighter Wing - MacDill AFB
 * 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1971-1975)
 * 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1971-1975)
 * 94th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1971-1975)
 * 4th Tactical Fighter Wing - Seymour Johnson AFB
 * 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1991)
 * 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1990)
 * 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1967-1970) F-4E (1970-1990)
 * 337th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1985-1987)
 * 15th Tactical Fighter Wing - MacDill AFB
 * 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1970) F-4E (1970-1982)
 * 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1971)
 * 46th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1971)
 * 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1964-1971)
 * 31st Tactical Fighter Wing - Homestead AFB
 * 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1988)
 * 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1988)
 * 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1986)
 * 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1986)
 * 33d Tactical Fighter Wing - Eglin AFB
 * 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1965-1967)
 * 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1979)
 * 59th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1973-1979)
 * 35th Tactical Fighter Wing - George AFB
 * 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4C (1972-1980) F-4E (1980-1992)
 * 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1972-1976)
 * 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1967-1972) F-4E (1972-1976)
 * 37th Tactical Fighter Wing - George AFB
 * 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (1980-1992)
 * 562d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (1972-1992)
 * 563d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (1975-1989)
 * 49th Tactical Fighter Wing - Holloman AFB
 * 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1968-1977)
 * 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1968-1977)
 * 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1968-1977)
 * 56th Tactical Fighter Wing - MacDill AFB
 * 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1982)
 * 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1980)
 * 62d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1981)
 * 63d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1975-1981)
 * 57th Fighter Weapons Wing - Nellis AFB
 * 414th Fighter Weapons Squadron F-4C/D/E (1969-1986)
 * 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing - Luke AFB
 * 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4
 * 550th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron F-4
 * 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing - Bergstrom AFB
 * 7th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1967-1971)
 * 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1966-1971)
 * 22d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1966-1971)
 * 75th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing - Bergstrom AFB
 * 347th Tactical Fighter Wing - Moody AFB
 * 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1973-1987)
 * 69th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1983-1988)
 * 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1975-1987)
 * 474th Tactical Fighter Wing - Nellis AFB
 * 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1977-1980)
 * 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1977-1980)
 * 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1977-1980)

United States Air Forces in Europe
 * 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron - Soesterberg AB F-4E (1969-1979)


 * 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron - NAS Keflavik F-4C (1975–1978) F-4E (1978-1985)


 * 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing - RAF Alconbury
 * 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1966-1988)
 * 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1966-1976)
 * 32d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1966-1976)
 * 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing - Zweibrücken AB
 * 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1969-1978)
 * 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RF-4C (1965-1991)
 * 36th Tactical Fighter Wing - Bitburg AB
 * 22d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
 * 53d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
 * 525th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1973) F-4E (1973-1977)
 * 48th Tactical Fighter Wing – RAF Lakenheath
 * 492d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1972-1977)
 * 493d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1972-1977)
 * 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1972-1977)
 * 50th Tactical Fighter Wing - Hahn AB
 * 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1966-1976) F-4E (1976-1982)
 * 313th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1976-1981)
 * 496th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1982)
 * 52d Tactical Fighter Wing - Spangdahlem AB
 * 23d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1981-1987) F-4G (1983-1991)
 * 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1983-1986) F-4G (1979-1994)
 * 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E/G (1972-1987)
 * 81st Tactical Fighter Wing - RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge
 * 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
 * 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
 * 92d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4C (1965-1972) F-4D (1972-1979)
 * 86th Tactical Fighter Wing - Ramstein AB
 * 512d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1976-1985)
 * 526th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1970-1986)
 * 401st Tactical Fighter Wing - Torrejon AB
 * 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1971-1983)
 * 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1971-1983)
 * 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4D (1971-1983)

Pacific Air Forces
 * 3d Tactical Fighter Wing - Clark AFB
 * 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1975–1991)
 * 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-4E (1975-1977) F-4G (1977-1991)


 * 8th Tactical Fighter Wing Ubon RTAFB
 * 12th Tactical Fighter Wing (Cam Ranh Air Base, South Viet Nam 1964–1971)
 * 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (Kadena Air Base, Japan 1967–1989)


 * 21st Tactical Fighter Wing (Elmendorf AFB, AK 1970–1982)
 * 32d Tactical Fighter Wing (George AFB, California 1964)
 * 51st Tactical Fighter Wing (Osan Air Base, South Korea 1974–unknown)
 * 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron


 * 53d Wing (Holloman AFB, New Mexico)
 * 54th Tactical Fighter Wing (Kunsan Air Base, South Korea 1970)
 * 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom 1969–1970)


 * 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (Kunsan AB, South Korea 1968–1970)
 * 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona 1971)
 * 363d Tactical Fighter Wing (Shaw AFB, South Carolina 1965–1989)
 * 366th Tactical Fighter Wing (Da Nang Air Base, South Viet Nam 1969–1973)
 * 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (Korat RTAFB, Thailand 1969–1973)
 * 432d Tactical Fighter Wing (Udorn RTAFB, Thailand c.1972–1974)


 * Squadrons
 * 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Osan Air Base, South Korea c.1974-1989)
 * 39th Tactical Fighter Squadron (George AFB, California 1977-1980, 1982–1984)
 * 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron (Elmendorf AFB, AK 1975–c.1980)
 * 82d Aerial Targets Squadron (Eglin AFB, Florida, 1995–present)


 * Air National Guard
 * Alabama Air National Guard
 * 116th Reconnaissance Squadron, 117th Reconnaissance Wing (RF-4C)


 * Arkansas Air National Guard
 * 184th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 188th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)


 * California Air National Guard
 * 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (F-4D)
 * 196th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4E)
 * 196th Reconnaissance Squadron, 163rd Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)


 * District of Columbia Air National Guard
 * 121st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 113th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)


 * Georgia Air National Guard
 * 128th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 116th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)


 * Hawaii Air National Guard
 * 199th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 154th Composite Group (F-4C)


 * Idaho Air National Guard
 * Reconnaissance Weapons School, 189th Tactical Reconnaissance Training Flight, 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)


 * 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Fighter Group (RF-4C, F-4E)
 * Illinois Air National Guard
 * 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 183rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4D)
 * Indiana Air National Guard (F-4C and F-4E)
 * Kansas Air National Guard (F-4D)
 * Kentucky Air National Guard (RF-4C)
 * Louisiana Air National Guard (F-4C)
 * Michigan Air National Guard (F-4C and F-4D)
 * Minnesota Air National Guard (RF-4C and F-4D)
 * Mississippi Air National Guard (RF-4C)
 * Missouri Air National Guard (F-4C and F-4E)
 * Nebraska Air National Guard (RF-4C)
 * Nevada Air National Guard (RF-4C)
 * New Jersey Air National Guard (F-4D and F-4E)
 * New York Air National Guard (F-4C and F-4D
 * North Dakota Air National Guard (F-4D)
 * Oregon Air National Guard (F-4C)
 * Texas Air National Guard (F-4C and F-4D)
 * Vermont Air National Guard (F-4D)