Phantom Pharewell

For John, BLUF:  Those were the days.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Versatile F-4 Phantoms making 'final flight' for U.S. military

This is an Associated Press story, by Mr Paul Davenport, picked up by Military Times.  The Dateline is 19 December, but the event is Wednesday, 21 December 2016. Here is the key part of the story:

The last of thousands of F-4 Phantom jets that have been a workhorse for the U.S. military over five decades are being put to pasture to serve as ground targets for strikes by newer aircraft.

But first some well-earned honors.

The Air Force will hold a "final flight" retirement ceremony Wednesday at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where the last F-4s are still flying for the U.S. military.  The ceremony will celebrate the airplane's rich military history as the jet was a mainstay during the Vietnam War and used for decades for reconnaissance missions and anti-missile electronic jamming.

So, the Phantom NoLo flights are over and the aircraft is heading for the boneyard or some bombing range somewhere.

Farewell oh good and trusty stead.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  NoLo is No Live Operator, as opposed to when the aircraft was being flown by a pilot for the pilot's familiarization or for a maintenance check.