<body> <div class="jumbotron"> <div class="banner-back"> <h1 class="text-center"><small>A tribute to</small><br>Japan's F-4 Phantoms</h1> </div> <div class="caption text-right"> Japanese Air-Self Defence Force F-4EJ (Tail Number: 47-8336) at Komaki Air Base in 2014. Wikimedia User (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:Hunini/%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F%E4%BF%9D%E7%AE%A1%E5%BA%AB" target="_blank">Hunini</a>) photo </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1"> <h2 class="text-center">Japan's Phantoms Still Flying After 45 Years of Service...</h2> <div class="image-ribbon row"> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/F-4_%40Gifu_2008%E5%B2%90%E9%98%9C%E5%9F%BA%E5%9C%B0%E8%88%AA%E7%A9%BA%E7%A5%AD_%283107726392%29.jpg"> </div> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5764/22164478758_3ed6f9f275_h.jpg"> </div> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1301/4603965836_784f72d14f_z.jpg"> </div> </div> <div class="well quote"> <div class="block-quote text-center">"There isn't a pilot alive with something bad to say about the F-4."</div> <div class="quote-attribution text-right">- Anonymous Air Self-Defence Force member (from <a href="http://www.sankei.com/premium/news/150417/prm1504170002-n1.html" target="_blank">Sankei Shimbun</a>)</div> </div> <div class="text"> Despite being scheduled for retirement by now, Japan's fleet of F-4 Phantoms are still flying to make up shortfalls in the procurement of F-2 aircraft and delays to the Phantom's successor, the F-35. </div> <div class="text"> Japan's F-4s are just a small part of the international fleet of Phantoms. The fighter jet has a special place in the hearts of its pilots and ground crew. The Phantom has patrolled Japan's airspace for decades and is as much loved by the Air Self-Defence Force as it is in any other air force. </div> <div class="text"> While the United State's Phantoms were retired in 1996, Japan's will keep flying until at least 2017 — 45 years since they first entered service in 1972. Their longevity has trumped their relevance as the fourth, and now fifth, generation fighters have supplanted their activities. But there is one thing that will always be true: when the Phantoms finally retire, they will be sorely missed. </div> <div class="well quote"> <div class="block-quote text-center">"It's like riding an unbroken horse, but that's why I fell in love with it."</div> <div class="quote-attribution text-right">- Anonymous Air Self-Defence Force member (from <a href="http://www.sankei.com/premium/news/150417/prm1504170002-n1.html" target="_blank">Sankei Shimbun</a>)</div> </div> <div class="image-ribbon row"> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3087/5744852859_7bf5ed05a5_b.jpg"> </div> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/JASDF_McDonnell_Douglas_%28Mitsubishi%29_F-4EJ_Kai_Phantom_II_in_ADTW_60th_anniversary_special_colours.jpg"> </div> <div class="col-xs-4"> <img class="img-responsive" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/McDonnell_Douglas_%28Mitsubishi%29_F-4EJ_Kai_Phantom_II%2C_Japan_-_Air_Force_AN2339194.jpg"> </div> </div> <div id="timeline"> <h3>Timeline</h3> <ul class="list-group"> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1958</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Robert C. Little takes a U.S. Navy Phantom prototype on its maiden flight in the United States.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1959</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">U.S. Navy begins carrier suitability trials.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1961</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">U.S. Navy conducts the maiden flight of the first of 649 F-4Bs.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1963</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">U.S. Air Force exceeds Mach 2 during F-4C's maiden flight. First U.S. Marine Corps F-4B Phantoms deploy to Japan at Atsugi Naval Air Base.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1966</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">F-4J enters service with improved air-to-air and ground-attack capabilities. Japan issues request for proposals for successor to F-86F fighter (F-X).</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1968</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Japan narrows down its F-X selection to the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom, Lockheed CL-1200 Lancer and Mirage F-1. Tokyo chooses F-4E with the support of the Air Self-Defence Force.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1969</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Japan's National Defence Council officially approves the Defence Agency's procurement request. Japan orders 104 F-4EJ (Japanese Phantom variant) from McDonnell Douglas and local defence aviation giant Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at a cost of ¥2 billion per aircraft.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1971</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">McDonnell Douglas build and supply Japan with the first two F-4EJ airframes. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will assemble the following 11 airframes before producing another 140 airframes under licence.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1972</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Japan's first Phantoms are supplied to the 301st Provisional Tactical Fighter Squadron under the Air Self-Defence Force's 7th Air Wing.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1973</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">The fourth F-4EJ suffers a crash. The fleet is grounded for two and a half months. The 301st Provisional Tactical Fighter Squadron becomes an official full squadron. In the coming decade, five more squadrons (302 Sq. to 306 Sq.) are created for Japan's Phantom variants.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1974</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Japan purchases 14 RF-4E reconnaissance variants of the Phantom. These American-built aircraft are supplied to the 501st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Hyakuri Air Base.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1975</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron begins anti-air incursion duties.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1980</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Research begins to extend the service life and capabilities of the domestically-built F-4EJ airframes.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1981</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">The final F-4EJ Phantom rolls off the Mitsubishi production line at Minami-Komaki.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1982</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Air Self-Defence Force hands over tail number 07-8431 to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to be the first upgraded Japanese Phantom, the F-4EJ(Kai).</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1984</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Tail number 07-8431 makes its maiden flight as an F-4EJ(Kai). It is delivered back to the military later this year.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1985</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">301 Sq. joins the 5th Air Wing at Nyutabara Air Base.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1987</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Tokyo approves budget for mass production upgrade of F-4EJ fleet.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1989</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">The first mass production F-4EJ(Kai) is supplied to the 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Komaki Air Base.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1990</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">After losing two RF-4E in an accident, Japan begins upgrading its early domestically-built F-4EJ aircraft with reconnaissance pods.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1991</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Mass production begins on F-4EJ reconnaissance upgrades (RF-4EJ).</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1992</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">The first RF-4EJ aircraft (tail number: 87-6406) makes its first flight.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1993</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">90 of the domestically-built Phantoms have been upgraded and delivered to 301 Sq. and 302 Sq. 305 Sq. begins flying F-15Js. RF-4EJ upgrade production run ends after 15 aircraft are delivered to 501 Sq. Two further planned reconnaissance upgrades are scrapped due to budget issues.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1996</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">The U.S. Air Force's last F-4 Phantom retires.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">1997</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">306 Sq. begin flying F-15J/DJs.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">2001</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">302 Sq. F-4EJ(Kai) is involved in an accidental live fire incident during ground attack training at the Shimamatsu Range in Hokkaido. The pilot accidentally fired his M61A1 20mm Vulcan cannon after switching back from the aircraft's rockets. The aircraft fired 188 training rounds which hit a civilian rehabilitation center in Kitahiroshima, outside the Hokkaido Manoeuvre Ground. The incident was blamed on a short circuit caused by improper drilling during the upgrade to F-4EJ(Kai). </div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">2008</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Tokyo was expected to select a successor to the Phantom (F-X) by this year, but the U.S. congressional ban on the export of the F-22 Raptor causes the selection to be postponed.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">2011</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning wins out over the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F/A-18E/F to succeed Japan's long-serving Phantoms.</div> </li> <li class="list-group-item row"> <div class="col-xs-1 tl-year">2015</div> <div class="col-xs-10 col-xs-offset-1 col-sm-11 col-sm-offset-0">50 F-4EJ(Kai) remain in service with the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force alongside 13 RF-4E/EJ. F-35 is not expected to enter service until at least 2017 forcing Japan to extend the Phantom's service life as long as possible.</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"> <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JQqGuvnkW-s"> </iframe> </div> <h3>Find out more...</h3> <div class="text"> If you want to learn more about the Phantom, try <a href="http://www.boeing.com/history/products/f-4-phantom-ii.page" target="_blank">the Boeing website</a> or the following articles: <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.historynet.com/mcdonnell-f-4-phantom-essential-aircraft-in-the-air-warfare-in-the-middle-east.htm" target="_blank">McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Essential Aircraft in the Air Warfare in the Middle East (HistoryNet)</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/what-couldnt-f-4-phantom-do-180953944/" target="_blank">What Couldn’t the F-4 Phantom Do? (Air & Space Magazine)</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/where-have-all-the-phantoms-gone-96320627/" target="_blank">Where Have All the Phantoms Gone? (Air & Space Magazine)</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.byronhartshorn.com/2014/12/03/a-very-busy-aircraft-the-f-4-phantom-in-the-21st-century/" target="_blank">A Very Busy Aircraft, The F-4 Phantom in the 21st Century (Byron Hartshorn)</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="text"> For more about the looming fighter crunch that the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force is facing and the F-4 in Japanese service, why not try the following articles: <ul> <li> <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2015/06/06/japan-fighter-f35-jasdf-f15-f2-upgrade-situational-awareness-sensors/28379749/" target="_blank">Japan's Fighter Procurement Crunch (Defense News)</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://www.f-4.nl/f4_47.html" target="_blank">Phantom with Japan (Phriends of the F-4 Phantom Pages)</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer text-center"> Written & coded by James Simpson, 2016. Image credits: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/37807125@N00" target="_blank">Yamaguchi Yoshiaki</a>, <a href="http://www.jp-spotters.com/" target="_blank">Toshiro Aoki</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/46976402@N05/" target="_blank">ARTS_fox1fire</a>, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/109661044@N07/" target="_blank">Rob Schleiffert</a>. </div> </body>

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