What Are Phantom Squadrons Used For?
The F-4 Phantom was one of the most versatile military combat jets ever created. It was a twin engine fighter-bomber, with seats for a pilot and a navigational officer, designed to carry out a variety of air combat missions. Phantom squadrons could be tasked with establishing and maintaining air superiority, carrying out close air support, or suppressing enemy anti-air positions.
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History
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The F-4 Phantom was originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy. It entered service with the Navy in 1961 and subsequently entered service with the Air Force in 1963. The Phantom flew a variety of missions in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, before it was retired from service in the late 1990s. During its operational life it was one of the most widely used combat jets ever built, having seen service in the air forces of 11 different countries, in addition to that of the United States.
Air Superiority
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For the "fighter" side of its fighter-bomber designation, Phantom squadrons flew air superiority missions. These are missions whose purpose is to gain, or maintain, control of the air over a combat zone. In these missions the pilot's job is to shoot down enemy aircraft flying over the area he has been tasked with patrolling. These enemy aircraft could be either bombers, seeking to destroy friendly positions, or enemy air superiority fighters tasked with protecting the bombers or challenging other air superiority fighters. "Dog fights" refer to the combat that takes place when two or more opposing air superiority squadrons engage each other
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Close Air Support
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Phantom squadrons also flew missions in support of ground operations. When such ground-based units entered into heavy combat with an enemy, they could call in positions for air units to attack. By destroying those positions, the Phantoms would help the ground unit prevail in the fight and lose fewer men doing so. Phantom squadrons could provide close air support by strafing enemy positions with their 20-mm cannons or by dropping one of the many types of bombs with which Phantoms could be equipped.
Anti-Air Suppression
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Aircraft in a war zone are primarily vulnerable to fire from two sources: air superiority fighters and ground-based anti-air missiles. In addition to flying missions to secure the skies from such hostile fighters, Phantom squadrons would also receive orders to attack and destroy ground-based anti-aircraft positions. Phantom squadrons flew such missions in Vietnam, and it was their primary task during Operation Desert Storm. Because Saddam Hussein maintained a sprawling and multi-layered anti-air defense and detection system, the American-led coalition had to take the system offline before it could safely fly combat missions over Iraqi air space. Toward this end, Phantom squadrons equipped with advanced radar detection and tracking computers systematically destroyed key components of the Iraqi anti-air system. These missions, in conjunction with similar missions flown by other craft, brought down Iraq's air defenses and allowed coalition forces to assume control over Iraqi airspace.
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References
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