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RF-4B Phantom Walkaround
By Marc "Devil Dog Of The Web" Iseli / Updated Dec. 2025
Behold: the RF-4B Phantom, looking so sharp in VMCJ-2 colors you’d think she was headed to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. I tripped over her at the 2009 Cherry Point Air Show, where she was parked on static display, probably wondering why nobody was preflighting her for a beer run. Word on the flight line was the O-Club was getting a facelift, and this bird would soon be standing guard out front, scaring off any butterbars who forgot their cover. Credit where it’s due, VMCJ knows how to slap on a paint job. Grab your imaginary camera, let’s do a lap around this old recce pig. And if you want the full nostalgia tour, MSgt. Dave Herbert’s got a video walkaround of our gal #06 back when she was still sunbathing at El Toro in ‘96, before the base got sent to the boneyard and she shipped off to Miramar. Dive in below and try not to get any hydraulic fluid on your civvies.
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Photos of RF-4B, MCAS Cherry Point.

Last RF-4B Phantom To Leave The Base
By MSgt. Dave Herbert (Ret.) / Updated Dec. 2025
If you want to see what happens when you leave one Marine alone at El Toro long enough, check out MSgt. Dave Herbert’s video. Dave was the last Rat Pack devil dog to lock the gate and probably pocket the keys. Thirty-plus years in the Corps, helped drag the squadron to Miramar, and still found time to become a wizard with RC planes; he’s flown more aircraft for Hollywood than Tom Cruise’s stunt double. Give his YouTube channel NightFlyyer a look, but don’t blame me if you end up shedding some tears.

Alright, you glorious Rat Phixers and Phlyers, if we ever survived a TAD, a Det, or a BOHICA, who haven't, and you didn’t think I was the biggest gaff off in the squadron. Got a sea story, or some grainy photos your ex didn’t set on fire, and they’re only slightly illegal? Send ‘em by email, snail mail, or safety wire it to a carrier pigeon. I collect ‘em all, just nothing that would incriminate me.
80svmfp3@gmail.com

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