Page 12 - Aerotech News and Review, September 17, 2021

High Desert Hangar Stories
F-4C 63-7519: Honoring the heritage of George AFB

by Bob Alvis person’s story to give those not “in the
special to Aertoech News know” a bit of history, as to why that
person is worthy of admiration. This
There was once a public service old war bird needs a person to stand
announcement that ran on television up on its behalf and share its story and
many years ago, featuring a Native show why it needs to be respected. So
American (portrayed by Iron Eyes let me take the podium for a few min-
Cody) who shed a single, poignant tear utes and share the story of what one old
as he looked at litter tossed along an F-4 on a pedestal did, while America
American highway. went about its daily chores. Its story
Sadly, we still see that after all these is in its assignments and when all is
years, we are not doing much better said and done, how can we not respect
when it comes to how we embrace the its journey and the thousands of hands
upkeep of not only our country’s natu- that went along for the ride or kept it
ral resources, but of the many items in the air?
that make up our landscape of Ameri- The history of the McDonnell Doug-
can Pride. las F-4C Phantom II 63-7519 — its as-
This past weekend, as I went to signments from delivery to display:
look for some of that American pride
in honor of the victims of 9/11, one of June 1964-July 1964: 15th Tacti-
my stops had me feeling much like Iron cal Fighter Wing, MacDill Air Force
Eyes from years ago. I discovered that Base, Fla.
a point of pride for all those who served July 1964-Sept. 1964: 8th Tactical
at Victorville Army Airfield/George Fighter Wing, George AFB, Calif.
Air Force Base had been visited by a Sept. 1964-Oct. 1964: 15th Tacti-
thief of pride. This nameless individu- cal Fighter Wing, MacDill Air Force
al put self over others by defacing the Base, Fla.
symbol of honorable service rendered Oct. 1964-July 1965: 8th Tactical
by thousands of men and women — Fighter Wing, George AFB, Calif.
generations who took pride in service July 1965-Aug. 1965: Air Force
to country by keeping those old war- Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB,
birds in the air, back in the day when Calif.
they were our front line of defense and Aug. 1965-Sept. 1965: 8th Tactical
the “tip of the spear.” Fighter Wing, George AFB, Calif.
Many would attribute this to a Sept. 1965-Feb. 1966: Combat Crew
changing culture where we would Training Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB,
just look the other way and say, “It’s Ariz.
just an old plane and who really cares Feb. 1966: 8th Tactical Fighter
anymore?” These vintage display air- Wing, George AFB, Calif.
craft symbolize military service of old, Feb. 1966: 479th TFW, George
and that history doesn’t really mean a AFB, Calif.
thing to the generation that, for all in- March 1966-Oct. 1966: 366th TFW,
tents and purposes, is not being taught Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam
the history, or just doesn’t care about Oct. 1966-Sept. 1967: 366th TFW,
these relics from the past and what they Da Nang AB, South Vietnam
represent. Sept. 1967-April 1968: Camn Rahn
An old F-4 on display honors the Bay AB, South Vietnam
service of many: the men and women, April 1968-Dec. 1969: 347th TFW,
the ground crews, the support staff, Yokota AB, Japan
the pilots, the weapons officers. For Dec. 1969-Oct. 1971: 479th TFW, Photograph by Bob Alvis
many years they were a part of this old George AFB, Calif. A heartbreaking sight: F-4C 63-7519 at the former George Air Force Base, Calif.
bird’s story and history. It doesn’t have Oct. 1971-Feb. 1972: 35th TFW,
a soul or a heartbeat, but it does have George AFB, Calif. July 1986: Battle Damage Trainer, It’s “just an old war bird,” but by carries the voices of past generations
something that made it live: it had us. It Feb. 1972-July 1982: 58th TFW, George AFB, Calif. God, old 63-7519 deserves better. I and shares them with the winds of the
can’t feel the pain of what we see here, Luke AFB, Ariz. Oct. 1989: Display, George AFB, will say that thanks to volunteers, the High Desert.
but we do, and we just shake our heads July 1982-March 1983: MD Tulsa, Calif. attempt to keep the old girl relevant George Air Force Base, 1975-1979:
and wonder why. Okla. Nov. 2016: Restored, displayed, will carry on in a society that can never Proud of my part in keeping the mis-
When somebody retires, many times March 1983-July 1986: TFG, March George AFB, Calif. grasp what an amazing story of perse- sion going, as that old three-stripe buck
at a retirement party people share that AFB, Calif. verance and service to country looks sergeant who loved those old F-4’s.
Respect! Respect for an old war- like, when it comes to a silent bird that Until next time, Bob out …
bird that did more for its crews and
pilots then we as a nation could ever The
have hoped for. If this were a human, heroes
it would have been put out to pasture who
many years before it ended up as yard gave the
F-4C, tail
art in honor of the thousands that made number
it live and breathe in peace time and 63-7519,
in war. a new
Sadly, I don’t know what it will take lease on
to halt a spray can intent on defacing a life.
memorial as, I’m sure, the perpetrators
could care less about an old man with
tears in his eyes who sees this old bird
as a reminder of those heroes who gave
years of living (and some, their lives)
to say to America, ‘This is my gift to
you and all the freedoms you enjoy.
Air Force photograph I will not get these days back on my
F-4C tail number 63-7519 during its time at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. death bed but for you and your children
it’s a price we are willing to pay.’ Photograph by Bob Alvis
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