photographer Masumi Wada

This F-4N is loaded out with two live AIM-9 Sidewinder air to air missiles. This a/c was retired to MASDC on 24 June 1977, with VF-161 having been its last squadron assignment.

VF-161 was based at Atsugi in Japan and deployed to the USS Midway throughout much of the 1970s. It operated all USN Phantom models, from F-4B, through F-4N and F-4J to F-4S. The unit's F-4Ns were replaced by F-4Js in 1977, with the F-4Ns going into storage, including this one on 20 October 1977.

Recently given a repainting and looking great at the Palm Springs Air Museum

This Phantom was built originally as a F-4B at St. Louis and TOC by the Navy in 1962.It served at various times aboard USS Forrestal, USS Midway and USS Coral Sea before finally being retired in 1997. It is on long-term loan at the Prairie Aviation Museum from the NNAM in its VF-161 USS Midway markings.