@ Port Hueneme, CA
March 2023
A very weathered gate guard at Point Mugu Missile Park, located outside Naval Air Station Point Mugu. Since arriving here in the 1990’s, this Phantom has worn several liveries, the current one being the long-disbanded Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Four (VX-4). Fortunately work is underway to refurbish this aircraft with yet another to-be-announced scheme. Designed by McDonnell Aircraft and first flown in 1958, the classic F-4 Phantom II served with three US services and air forces around the world. December 21, 2016 would mark the phinal retirement of the Phantom from US service. F-4 production ran from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft. The F-4S was the designation for F-4Js modernized with smokeless engines, reinforced airframe and leading-edge slats for improved maneuverability. First flown July 1977, 302 aircraft were converted.
