RF-4C Phantom tail #69-0355 went down during “Vietnam Ceasefire” ops while serving with the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 432nd TFW based at Udorn RTFAFB, Thailand.
The following video is a recording from the cockpit of an RF-4C Phantom (callsign Dodge 1, not Fox, as the subtitles say) during the Vietnam War recon flight. An SA-2 Guideline missile shoots down Wingman (Dodge 2). Capt. Roger Ernest Behnfeldt was Dodge 2A (Pilot) and Captain Tamotsu Shingaki was Dodge 2B (WSO). RF-4C Phantom tail #69-0355 went down approximately 8 mi.
NE of Bac Giang NVN during “Vietnam Ceasefire” ops while serving with the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 432nd TFW based at Udorn RTFAFB, Thailand. Captain Shingaki was captured by the NVA but was released on Mar. 29, 1973. Capt. Behnfeldt was declared MIA for 15 years until his remains were recovered in 1987.
The USAF realized early in the 1960s that it needed additional tactical reconnaissance aircraft to support the RF-101s that were currently in service. The USAF chose a modification of the F-4C fighter. The first production aircraft took to the skies on May 18, 1964, marking the beginning of the RF-4C development program in 1962. Officially, 499 RF-4Cs were approved by the Air Force.
The RF-4C can carry a variety of cameras in three different stations in its nose section. It could capture pictures day or night, at both high and low altitudes. The RF-4C did not carry any offensive armament, although, some were equipped with four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for defense during the last few years of their service
The 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron became the first operational unit to fly the RF-4C. In October 1965, that unit deployed to Southeast Asia to provide photographic reconnaissance of the growing conflict in South Vietnam. In the following years, RF-4Cs flew reconnaissance missions around the world, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Iraq in 1990-1991. The Air Force retired all of its RF-4Cs by 1995.
Photo by U.S. Air Force
