Sad day for F-4 Phantom II phans

Hi all

unfortunately for all of us many Phantom phanatics the 31st of January marks yet another milestone in the gradual retirement from service of this phantastic aircraft. The Luftwaffe’s JG-72 “Westfalen” wing at Rhein-Hopsten will stand down on that day and take its place in the aviation history books.

Phantom phlying will not cease altogether at Hopsten, however, as 2/JG-72, also known as the ZAE – “Zentrale Ausbildungs Einrichtung” (Central Education Facility) will be renamed “Fluglehrzentrum F-4F” and continue in its role in offering on-going advanced training to already qualified F-4F pilots from the units at Laage and Neuberg. That said, flying activities at Hopsten will be much reduced from recent years. 🙁

Best regards

Steve / Touchdown-News

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Touchdown-News

Below is JG-72 F-4F ICE 38+03 seen at Florennes during a TLP in 2001

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