The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) held a meticulously planned ceremony on Friday, Jun. 7th, at Suwon Air Base to bid farewell to its legendary F-4 Phantom fighter jets after an impressive 55-year service record. Nicknamed “Dokkaebi” (Korean goblin) for their versatility, the Phantoms were revered as guardians of South Korean skies.
_F-4E_Phantom.jpg)
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The event unfolded in a specific order, reflecting the solemnity and significance of the occasion. Following a celebratory performance by the ROKAF Band and Honor Guard, a commemorative video showcased the F-4’s remarkable achievements throughout its service.
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A poignant moment of silence then descended upon the gathering. A solemn display was arranged on an empty table positioned near the VIP section. It featured a pilot’s helmet, the South Korean National Flag (Taegukgi), and a plaque dedicated to ROKAF pilots and weapon system officers who perished flying F-4s. The plaque bore the names of all 34 officers who died while piloting Phantoms, along with the serial numbers of the 19 Phantoms that were lost in crashes.
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Further emphasizing the gravity of their sacrifice, ROKAF Chief of Staff, Lee Yeong-su, honored their dedication and bravery by reading out each of the fallen aircrew’s names during his commemorative address. This powerful gesture ensured that the memory of these heroes would live on.
The Republic of South Korea Air Force had operated a total of 187 F-4 fighter jets, including the F-4D, F-4E, and RF-4C, since the first introduction of the F-4D in 1969. The F-4D and RF-4C were retired in 2010 and 2014, respectively.
The introduction of the F-4 Phantom in 1969 significantly improved the ROK Air Force’s capabilities, closing the gap with North Korea’s Air Force and paving the way for modernization. The F-4 Phantom played a crucial role in various missions, including the sinking of a North Korean spy ship near Soheksan Island in 1971 and the successful operation to assist in the defection of North Korean pilot Captain Lee Woong-pyung in Feburary 1983. For over five decades, the F-4 Phantom served as the ROKAF’s main fighter jet, safeguarding the nation’s airspace and deterring potential threats. Their legacy as the “Immortal Dokkaebi” will remain etched in history.
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The culmination of the ceremony arrived with a poignant farewell flight. Two F-4E Phantoms roared into the sky for a final 32-minute mission after being issued with sortie orders by Defense Minister Shi Won-sik. This was followed by a congratulatory flight demonstration by the ROKAF Black Eagels aerobatic team. The last two Phantoms then return to base for landing and after their successful touchdown, four pilots and weapon system officers, two from each aircraft, emerged and presented Minister Shin with a ceremonial control stick. This symbolic gesture, representing the completion of the Phantom’s mission, underscored the vital role these aircraft played in safeguarding South Korean skies from 1969 to 2024.
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Minister Shin then reciprocated by formally honoring the Phantoms with a “honorable discharge” certificate, the certificate was inscribed with a message of recognition: “This certificate is presented upon the honorable discharge of the F-4 Phantom that defended the skies above the Republic of Korea for 55 years.” Further solidifying the symbolic handover, Minister Shin placed a ceremonial wreath on the nose of a Phantom, before personally inscribing a message of hope on the port side of the Phantom: “Beyond legend, into the future!”
The symbolic passing of the torch wasn’t complete without a breathtaking display of South Korea’s modern air power. The skies above Suwon Air Base then came alive with a meticulously choreographed formation flyover featuring a variety of fighter jets in service with ROKAF.
First, five F-16s roared skyward from behind the spectator stands, launching a total of 55 flares – a tribute to the F-4’s 55 years of dedicated service with the Republic of Korea Air Force. Following the fiery homage, a formation flight comprised of six F-16s and five FA-50s took center stage. This specific configuration held a deeper meaning. The six F-16s symbolically mirrored the initial introduction of six F-4D aircraft in 1969, while the five FA-50s represented the five McDonnell Douglas F-4Ds that were acquired through the generous donations of the South Korean people in 1975.
Next, two RF-16s, the successors to the retired RF-4Cs since 2014, performed a celebratory flight, showcasing the seamless transition of reconnaissance capabilities within the ROKAF from the RF-4C to the F-16.
Taking the aerial spectacle a notch higher, a formation comprised of F-15Ks, F-35As, and F-16s soared in unison. This powerful trio of aircraft represented a significant moment, as these jets currently occupy the air bases that were once home to the F-4 Phantoms – Daegu, Cheongju, and Jungwon.
Finally, three F-35A stealth fighter jets, the most advance fighter type in service with the ROKAF, concluded the congratulatory flights. Their flawless formation marked the culmination of the ceremony, solidifying the transition from the legacy of the F-4 Phantoms to a new era of air power dominance for South Korea.
For this retirement ceremony, the ROKAF even paid homage to the beloved “Spook” mascot with a new twist. The F-4 Phantom, when viewed from the rear, has a distinctive 23° downward tilt of its all-moving tailplane that resembles a ghost’s cap, and the two engine exhaust ports look like eyes. This characteristic layout of the F-4 inspired McDonnell Aircraft’s artist, Anthony “Tony” Wong, to create the original “Spook” character for F-4 crew member patches in 1958. The Spook quickly became a beloved mascot for the global F-4 Phantom community.
Here at Suwon Air Base, the ROKAF introduced two new Spook characters to mark this special occasion. One Spook sported a vibrant red scarf adorned with the Taegeuk (Korean flag) pattern on its chest, while the other donned the traditional armor of the Joseon Dynasty and grasped an AGM-142, a primary weapon used by the F-4. These new Spook characters were unveiled during a pilgrimage flight across South Korea on May 9. They were painted on the fuselage along with the commemorative phrase “In the hands of the people, from the hearts of the people.”
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The retirement of the F-4 Phantoms signifies the closing of a chapter, but their legacy as the “Immortal Dokkaebi” who valiantly safeguarded South Korea’s airspace for over five decades will remain etched in history.
Alert5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons