Check Six – Late 1970s: Phantoms to Guam

Posted on Feb 15, 2021 in 1970's, Check Six
Hawaii Air National Guard photograph

The 199th Fighter Squadron began flying McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantoms in 1976. Coming out of conversion status, one of their first deployments was to Anderson AFB, Guam. This undated photograph show Benet Costa on the flightline. Fading memory recall his position being called the flightline expeditor.

The 199 FS flew Convair F-102A prior to this conversion. The Deuces did not have air-to-air refueling capability. The Phantoms were a welcome upgrade in operational capabilities that include force projection. This was the start of overseas deployments to Guam, Philippines, Japan and Korea. Great memories!

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