The Phantom entered service with the U.S Navy on 30 December 1960 with the VF-121 Pacemakers at NAS Miramar. The VF-74 Be-devilers at NAS Oceana became the first deployable Phantom squadron when it received its F4H-1s (F-4Bs) on 8 July 1961.
U.S. Atlantic Fleet / Naval Air Force Atlantic - All based at NAS Oceana, Virginia
VF-11 "Red Rippers"
VF-31 "Tomcatters"
VF-14 "Tophatters"
VF-32 "Swordsmen"
VF-33 "Tarsiers" (Also known as the "Starfighters")
VF-102 "Diamondbacks"
VF-41 "Black Aces"
VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" (Formerly known as the "Vagabonds")
VF-74 "Bedevilers"
VF-103 "Sluggers"
U.S. Pacific Fleet / Naval Air Force Pacific - All based at NAS Miramar, California with exception of two squadrons forward deployed to / based at NAF Atsugi, Japan
VF-21 "Freelancers"
VF-154 "Black Knights"
VF-51 "Screaming Eagles"
VF-111 "Sundowners"
VF-92 "Silver Kings"
VF-96 "Fighting Falcons"
VF-114 "Aardvarks"
VF-213 "Black Lions"
VF-142 "Ghostriders"
VF-143 "Pukin Dogs"
VF-151 "Vigilantes"
VF-161 "Chargers"
VF-191 "Satan's Kittens"
VF-194 "Red Lighnings"
United States Naval Reserve / Naval Air Reserve Force
VF-201 "Hunters" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at NAS Dallas, Texas
VF-202 "Superheats" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at NAS Dallas, Texas
VF-301 "Devil's Disciples" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at NAS Miramar, California
VF-302 "Stallions" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at NAS Miramar, California
VF-22L1 {no nickname assigned} (Pacific Fleet) - Based at NAS Los Alamitos, California; later merged into VF-301 and VF-302 at NAS Miramar
These kind of units are known in Navy parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of these particular training units was to provide fleet squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.
VF-101 "Grim Reapers" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at NAS Oceana, Virginia
The DACT detachment of VF-101 was located at NAS Key West, Florida and flew both the A-4 Skyhawk and the F-4 Phantom II.
VF-121 "Pacemakers" (Pacific Fleet) - Based at NAS Miramar, California
VF-171 "Aces" (Atlantic Fleet) - Based at NAS Oceana, Virginia.
The DACT detachment of VF-171 was located at NAS Key West, Florida, and flew the A-4 Skyhawk and the F-4 Phantom II. VF-171 assumed the Atlantic Fleet F-4 Fleet Replacement Squadron training role upon VF-101's transition to becoming the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-14 Tomcat.
These units provided services to the fleet such as air combat training and enemy electronic warfare simulation support.
VC-7 "Tallyhoers" - Based at NAS Miramar, California
VAQ-33 "Firebirds" - Initially based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia; later transferred to NAS Key West, Florida in 1980
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels - Based at NAS Pensacola, Florida with winter training detachment operations at NAF El Centro, California (1969-1974)
VX-4 "Evaluators" - Based at NAS Point Mugu, California
VX-5 "Vampires" - Based at NAS China Lake, California
VX-30 "Bloodhounds" - Based at NAS Point Mugu, California
Strike Aircraft Test Directorate - Based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
The U.S. Marines received their first F-4Bs in June 1962, with the VMFA-314 Black Knights at MCAS El Toro, California becoming the first operational squadron. In addition to attack variants, the Marines also operated several tactical reconnaissance RF-4Bs. Marine Phantoms from the VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts arrived in Vietnam on 10 April 1965, flying close air support missions from land bases as well as from USS America. Marine F-4 pilots claimed three enemy MiGs (two while on exchange duty with the USAF) at the cost of 75 aircraft lost in combat, mostly to ground fire, and four in accidents. On 18 January 1992, the last Marine Phantom, an F-4S, was retired by VMFA-112 Cowboys.
Frontline and Reserve
VMFA-112 (MA) - Based at NAS Dallas, Texas (4th Marine Aircraft Wing / Marine Air Reserve)
VMFA-115 (VE) - Based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina until 1977, then MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-122 (DC) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California, then MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, then MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-134 (MF) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California (4th Marine Aircraft Wing / Marine Air Reserve)
VMFA-212 (WD) - Based at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
VMFA-232 (WT) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California, then MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
VMFA-235 (DB) - Based at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
VMFA-251 (DW) - Based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-312 (DM) - Based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-314 (VW) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California
VMFA-321 (MG) - Based at Naval Air Facility Washington / Andrews AFB, Maryland (4th Marine Aircraft Wing / Marine Air Reserve)
VMFA-323 (WS) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California
VMFA-333 (DN) - Based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-334 (WU) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California
VMFA-351 (MC) - Based at NAS Atlanta / Dobbins AFB, Georgia (4th Marine Aircraft Wing / Marine Air Reserve)
VMFA-451 (VM) - Based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
VMFA-513 (WF) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California, then MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
VMFA-531 (EC) - Based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, then MCAS El Toro, California
VMFA-542 (CR) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California
VMCJ-1 (RM) - Based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
VMFP-3 (RF) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California
NOTE: USMC squadrons shift their tail codes to the appropriate Carrier Air Wing (CVW) tail code when operating aboard aircraft carriers as part of an integrated USN/USMC CVW.
These kind of units are known in Navy and Marine Corps parlance as Replacement Air Groups (RAG) or Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). The purpose of this particular training units was to provide Fleet Marine Force (FMF) squadrons with F-4 Phantom-qualified aircrew and maintenance personnel. During the Vietnam War, they also furnished spare aircraft to replace those lost in combat.
VMFAT-101 (SH) - Based at MCAS El Toro, California; later transferred to MCAS Yuma, Arizona
VMFAT-201 - Based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina; consolidated with VMFAT-101 in 1974
Following the test and evaluation of loaned Navy F-4Bs, the first production F-4C was delivered to U.S. Air Force in November 1963. The 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing at MacDill AFB was the first unit to receive the Phantoms. The first combat unit to receive F-4C's was the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1964.
List of units:
Air Force Reserve
301st Tactical Fighter Wing - Carswell AFB, Texas (F-4D, F-4E)
482d Tactical Fighter Wing - Homestead AFB, Florida (F-4C, F-4D)
924th Tactical Fighter Group - Bergstrom AFB, Texas (F-4D, F-4E)
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Air National Guard
Alabama Air National Guard
116th Reconnaissance Squadron, 117th Reconnaissance Wing (RF-4C)
Arkansas Air National Guard
184th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 188th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
California Air National Guard
194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (F-4D)
196th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 163rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4E)
196th Reconnaissance Squadron, 163rd Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
District of Columbia Air National Guard
121st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 113th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)
Georgia Air National Guard
128th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 116th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-4D)
Hawaii Air National Guard
199th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 154th Group (F-4C)
Idaho Air National Guard
Reconnaissance Weapons School, 189th Tactical Reconnaissance Training Flight, 190th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 124th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Fighter Group (RF-4C, F-4E)
Illinois Air National Guard
170th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 183rd Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C, F-4D)
Indiana Air National Guard
163d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 122d Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
113th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 181st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
Kansas Air National Guard
127th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 177th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, 184th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D)
Kentucky Air National Guard
165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 123d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (RF-4C)
Louisiana Air National Guard
122d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 159th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
Michigan Air National Guard
171st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 191st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4D)
Minnesota Air National Guard
179th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron; 148th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 148th Fighter Interceptor Group (RF-4C and F-4D)
Mississippi Air National Guard
153d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
Missouri Air National Guard
110th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 131st Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C and F-4E)
Nebraska Air National Guard
173d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 173d Reconnaissance Squadron; 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 155th Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
Nevada Air National Guard
192d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, later 192d Reconnaissance Squadron; 152d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, later 152d Reconnaissance Group (RF-4C)
New Jersey Air National Guard
141st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 108th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D and F-4E)
New York Air National Guard
136th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 107th Fighter-Interceptor Group (F-4C and F-4D)
North Dakota Air National Guard
178th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 119th Fighter-Interceptor Group (F-4D)
Oregon Air National Guard (F-4C)
123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 142d Fighter-Interceptor Wing
Texas Air National Guard
111th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 147th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (F-4C and F-4D)
182d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 149th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4C)
Vermont Air National Guard
134th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 158th Tactical Fighter Group (F-4D)
