An F-4G of the 563rd TFS on the
packed flightline at George AFB in- This aircraft carries a covered
AGM-78 training round on the port wing, plus
an AGM-45 Shrike — both anti-radiation missiles
of that time. Frank B. Mormillo
O
F ALL THE US Air Force F-4 Phantom
II bases, George AFB in California
surely ranks as one of the most
impressive. The 35th Tactical
Fighter Wing flew the F-105
Thunderchief here until 1980, when
the new ‘Wild Weasel’ F-4Gs began arriving in
southern California.
Initially attached to the 35th TFW, the 37th
TFW became co-based on March 30, 1981,
and it assumed control of the ‘Wild Weasel’
assets. The 561st, 562nd and 563rd Tactical
Fighter Squadrons became the operational
‘Wild Weasel’ units at George with their F-4Gs
and partner F-4Es. In 1989, the two wings
consolidated as the 35th TFW.
Having played a significant role in 1991’s
Operation ‘Desert Storm’, the unit was briefly
redesignated as the 35th FW, but in 1992
the base began preparing for closure. The
Luftwaffe training squadron — the 20th FS
‘Lobos’ — moved to Holloman AFB, and the last
F-4G units were disbanded. In December 1992
George AFB closed, ending a glorious chapter
in the Phantom’s history within the USAF.http://www.combataircraft.net // July (^2018 97)
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