![]() The 18 squadrons flying F-4B (and a few F-4J) Phantom IIs during that period had proven the aircraft’s ability to hit ground targets with heavy loads of 250-, 500-, 1000- or 2000-lb bombs, 5inch Zuni or 2.75-inch free-flight rockets and Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bombs, among other ordnance, albeit with relatively primitive weapons delivery systems. Thirteen North Vietnamese People’s Air Force (VPAF) MiG-17s and MiG-21s, together with two nocturnal An-2 radar calibration aircraft, had been shot down (and a further four enemy aircraft plausibly claimed) by the end of 1968 for the loss of four F-4s to MiGs, despite the frequently disappointing performance of the Phantom II’s primary air-to-air missile armament. Over North Vietnam, in contrast, F-4 crews’ experiences with Soviet-built aircraft were far from friendly. The Soviet aircrews were friendly and waved at the escorting F-4 crews, smiling and gesturing to the crews to fly closer so that they could take pictures’. ![]() The Soviet crews demonstrated no hostile intent and manoeuvred their aircraft safely and professionally while conducting surveillance of Enterprise. The 1972 Command History for USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) records overflights that were escorted by F-4Js ‘while in the vicinity of the Task Group. ![]() Their duties even included seeing off Soviet Tu-95 ‘Bear’ reconnaissance aircraft that usually overflew US Navy carriers en route to or from the South China Sea. Its initial role as an all-weather fleet defence interceptor had expanded to include successful deployment for ground attack, flak suppression, escort and a range of combat air patrol (CAP) missions. CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE THE TIME IN BETWEEN CHAPTER TWO BLUE TREES, BANDITS AND BOMBS CHAPTER THREE THE FIGHT TO LEAVE CHAPTER FOUR PHANTOM II AS A FIGHTER CHAPTER FIVE FIGHTING TO THE END APPENDICES COLOUR PLATE COMMENTARYĭuring their intensive Operation Rolling Thunder missions over North Vietnam the US Navy’s F-4 Phantom II squadrons on board the aircraft carriers of Task Force 77 (TF 77) had demonstrated the fighter’s versatility in an unprecedented variety of tasks. ![]()
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