The F-4 Phantom aircraft sits in the Memorial Air Park, May 7, 2016 at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The family of the late Maj. Gen. Ernest Bedke held his memorial service in front of the aircraft which was dedicated to him in 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph)

MacDill maintains safety with F-4 teardown

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Contractors started a two-week tear down process of the F-4 Phantom display at the Memorial Air Park on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida Sept. 26, 2016.

The main question is, why get rid of the aircraft?

Maintaining aircraft and equipment on a military installation that sits in the middle of a peninsula can be a challenge due to the corrosive environment. The corrosive environment caused by the saltwater overtime in the air, deteriorated the F-4 display until it became a safety hazard, which in turn made it impossible to move and too cost prohibitive to be repaired.

Consequently, assistance was requested by wing leadership to find a more suitable home for the aging F-4 from the National Museum of the US Air Force (NMUSAF).

After completing a thorough assessment, the F-4 was determined to be too far gone to repair, so the decision was made to disassemble and recycle it according to the procedures established by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Many may wonder what is going to replace it and what will the future of the air park look like?

Considering the numerous families and friends that tour memorial Air Park every year it had to go, but that doesn’t mean there is not a plan for the future.

“Hope springs eternal.” Alexander Pope once wrote and the same is to be said for the future park.

“MacDill leadership is interested in recapitalizing Memorial Air Park in a way that is more representative of the many aircraft, units, and Airmen that have called MacDill home for more than 75 years,” said Stephen Ove, the historian assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing. “The thought is to make the park a more functional area while paying homage to MacDill’s long history.”

The park will continue to be a ceremonial center where heritage is displayed to include several existing memorials.

“MacDill is working to display its heritage while providing a safer environment for Team MacDill for official ceremonies and functions,” said Capt. Elkin Medina, maintenance operations officer assigned to the 6th Maintenance Squadron.

Along with missions during Vietnam, the F-4 that was displayed flew in missions at MacDill from 1974 to 1975 and was the lead Thunderbird at Nellis AFB.