Legendary Moments in Military Aviation: Phantom F-4G "Wild Weasels" heading home to Nellis AB night stop at RAF Lakenheath

Monday, June 29, 2020

Phantom F-4G "Wild Weasels" heading home to Nellis AB night stop at RAF Lakenheath

It was a gratifying day out at RAF Lakenheath in October 1994. I had been at RAF Waddington, followed by Conningsby over a few days. Meanwhile, down at RAF Lakenheath exercise, "Cold Fire" was underway, and I visited to see what was happening. I knew the Norwegian Air Force was participating, but that was about it!

I later learned from friends that six WA F-4Gs would arrive from the Middle East just after lunchtime as they transit through Lakenheath on their way home to Nellis Air Force Base.

They are seen here in their landing order.

69-7232 F-4G 'WA' USAF, Nellis 'Wild Weasel.'

It was approaching runway 24 at Lakenheath.

Like many other F-4G's, its fate would become a QF-4G (AF142) with the 475WEG det1.

69-0263 F-4G 'WA' USAF, Nellis 'Wild Weasel.'

It was later becoming a QF-4C (AF181) 475WEG.

69-0278 F-4G 'WA' USAF.
Seen arriving at Lakenheath while transiting from the Middle East.

It was modified to a QF-4G (AF138) 475WEG det1.

69-0286 F-4G 'WA' USAF.

Later modified to a QF-4G, (AF160) 53WEG

69-7212 F-4G 'WA' USAF.

Retired to AMARC 03 2000.

69-7211 F4C 'WA.'

Later, to become a QF-4G, (AF145) 53WEG.

J-201 F-16A, 314 Sqn (Redskins) RNlAF.

Sometimes, you can wait all day for an aircraft, and then we have Klu F-16s following the F-4G's.

The F-16s were involved in the Cold Fire exercise.

J-510 F-16A, 314 Sqn (Redskins) RNlAF.

J-136 F-16A 314 Sqn (Redskins) RNlAF.

69-7211 'WA' F-4G USAF is taxiing for departure from Lakenheath.

The F-4G 'Wild Weasel' was an aircraft that destroyed, neutralised, or debased enemy radar-directed surface-to-air risks.

69-0263 "WA' F-4G USAF.

It is an early start at Lakenheath as the 'Nellis Weasels' headed home.

69-7232 'WA' F-4G USAF.

During the Gulf War, 61 F-4G's were deployed to the theatre; their principal base was Baharain, while 12 aircraft were ensconced at Incirlik airbase in Turkey.

69-7212 'WA' F-4G USAF.

The Weasel was the weapon of choice in providing lethal SEAD escort to high-value assets.

69-7211,212,232, 0263 'WA' F-4G's USAF from Nellis airbase, seen departing Lakenheath.

These aircraft were so crucial to air operations over Iraq; they went on to be nicknamed the "Weasel Police" and establish a nearly continuous presence so that all aircraft heading into the KTO had an electronic warfare umbrella.

You noticed only four aircraft departed?

83-0488 C-130H 139AS NJ/ANG was the support aircraft for the Lakenheath, USA leg. It had arrived from Lajes on the 4th of October 1994.

83-0488 C-130H 139AS NJ/ANG

They were returning to Lajes on the morning of the 6th of October 1994.

As for the F-4G's left behind at Lakenheath 69-0278 and 69-0286.

It becomes complicated.

On the 12th of October, at least 10 'Nellis Weasels' arrived from Nellis travelling East. They included the four that had departed a week earlier to the West. What made it a little interesting was one of the new arrivals carried the serial 69-7286.

There were now two F-4G's at Lakenheath with the same last three of their serial!

On the 17th of October, ten aircraft departed for the Middle East, leaving two aircraft at Lakenheath, and you guessed it, they were 69-0286 and 69-7286.

They both departed Westerly to the US, having entertained the local spotters!

Meanwhile, the"Cold Fire" exercise continued apace at RAF Lakenheath.