The final flight of an unmanned QF-4 Phantom took place over the White Sands Missile Range on 17.08.16.
The mission was flown by QF-4E 72-0166/AF-329 of the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron, Detachment 1 at Holloman Air Force Base. During the flight the Phantom served as an aerial target for a F-35A out of Edwards Air Force Base.
The QF-4 will be withdrawn later in the year when the 82nd ATRS Det 1 transitions to the QF-16, which is already in use at Tyndall Air Force Base.
A QF-4 Phantom sits on the flight line before its final unmanned mission at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. on Aug. 17. During its final mission, the QF-4 served its primary function as an aerial target and was shot at by an F-35 Lightning II from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)
QF-4 Phantom maintainers go through pre-flight inspections before the aircraft’s final unmanned mission at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. on Aug. 17. The QF-4 mission will continue flying manned missions until the official end of the QF-4 program in December 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson)