Just out from one of the four shelters and waiting for the line crew to clear the aircraft. The wings are just unfolding. On the F-4C this was controlled from the cockpit like on the USN versions, but on the F-4E it was a manual operation.
The only F-4C of the 57th FIS that was painted in this scheme during the last months of its stay in Iceland. The F-4Es appeared in a similar scheme after repaint in Iceland, except for the intake splitter plates, which were clear on the F-4Es.
One of the three 57th FIS. T-birds taxying out to the Sierra taxyway, to prepare for takeoff on runway 02. Great sunlight after a shower. The midwinter noontime sun in Iceland will give one these vibrant colors after a midday shower.
One of the three 57th FIS T-Birds that were the last of their kind in Iceland. Here sporting a style of the rudder checkerboard that was prevalent from around 1969 to 1976 or so. Scanned from a not too good print.
Once more doing its regular training hops, here shown just before landing on runway 02. I was very active going out to Kef during the spring and summer of 1978, when the F-4Cs were leaving and the F-4Es were taking over.
Taking off just before a rainshower and thus showing its afterburner in the murk. This was the last deployment of the F-4F to Iceland for the Airspace patrol duties and marks the end of the long Phantom connection with Iceland.
Stopping for a while at Keflavik for fuel and maybe some crew rest, this UTAH ANG KC-97L was converted from a KC-97G and was sent to MASDC as CH0605 Dec 16, 1977.
This just shows how conditions can become spectacular after a heavy rainshower especially during the winter when the sun is low in the sky and it becomes clear like here. This is the squadron commanders aircraft and probably has the callsign triple balls.
This VP-23 Update II Orion has still not gone through rework. This is evidenced by the white outline to the fuselage insignia plus the distance between the NAVY titles and the insignia on the fuselage.
Cold weather service. These EB-57Bs were often seen stopping over on the way to and from continental Europe, and to my knowledge usually did some exercises with the 57th on either flight.
According to Joe Baugher database, 1545 was originally built as a B-57B, sent to MASDC on October 30, 1969. Later converted to EB-57B. Sent back to MASDC on December 2, 1981. Still there as of January 15, 2008.
One of four EA-6A from VMCJ-2 that stopped over at Keflavik. This was the second service test aircraft for the E-6A and was then converted to the EA-6A configuration. Preserved MCAS Cherry Point where she flew most of her hours during her active duty.
One of four EA-6A from VMCJ-2 that stopped over at Keflavik. This was the second service test aircraft for the E-6A and was then converted to the EA-6A configuration. Preserved MCAS Cherry Point where she flew most of her hours during her active duty.
Landing on the then runway 30 after a long patrol. At this time the upper radome, which originally housed the height finding antenna, was empty on all the EC-121Ts.