The report
The Jagdgeschwader (fighter squadron) JG74 at
Neuburg a. d. Donau wasformed as an all weather fighter
unit in 1961 and equipped with North American F-86K. These
planes did not stay very long with the JG 74 as the first
F-104G Starfighters were introduced into service in the
mid-60s. In 1973 the squadron was named after Werner Mölders,
the first pilot to attain 100 air combat victories in WW
II. After more then a decade of Starfighters in service
the JG 74 ‘Mölders’ received its F-4F Phantom
II in 1974/75.
25 years later these phaboulous aircraft are
still in service after being upgraded to the ICE (Increased
Combat Efficiency) standard giving them improved avionics
and an APG-65 radar and the capability to carry AIM-120
AMRAAM missiles.
Two of these Phantoms are in QRA (Quick Reaction
Alert) status 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and can be
airborne within 15 minutes after alert.
In 2005/06 the JG74 will receive a new fighter
aircraft after over a quarter century of phlying the Phantom.
So let’s take the possibility and take
some sighst of the beautiful silhouette of the mighty F-4F
Phantom!
During that day 12 Phantoms (of the JG74 ‘Mölders’
and JG71 ‘Richthofen’) made their way to Goose
Bay and took off from Neuburg. Photos of these aircraft
were taking at the ‘last chance’ and during take-off.
Please note the three auxiliary tanks and the travel pods,
as well as the fuel leaking out of the wing ends during
take-off. All this is featured in the
first part of the photos!
In the afternoon the possibility was giving to climb up
the tower and take photos from up there. The special surprise
was the US Army RC-12K which made several fly-bys, as well
as the appearance of a NATO E-3A AWACS. These views can
be seen on the second photo page.
After all of that I would like to express my sincere
thanks to the personnel at the Neuburg Airbase, especially
OstFw Kraus and his crew and everyone from the tower for
the ‘special arrangements’ in the afternoon!
