This concise, illustrated history focuses on the McDonnell-Douglas F-4
Phantom II aircraft and units assigned to George AFB, California, from
1964-92. George's association with the aircraft began with the arrival
of the first F-4s in April 1964, and would last over twenty-eight years.
The initial mission was to train F-4 aircrews, and from 1964 through
1973, the majority of these graduates went directly to Southeast Asia in
support of the Vietnam War. As the need for newly trained aircrews
decreased, the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, and later the 37th TFW, added
an operational commitment flying F-4Es and F-4C Wild Weasels, as well as
F-4G Advanced Wild Weasel aircraft. The training of aircrews for
Germany's Air Force was added to the 35th TFW's mission in December
1972. F-4 operations continued at George under the 35th and 37th wings
until inactivation of the 35th Wing in December 1992, and the closing of
George AFB at the end of the Cold War.