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F-4 and two F-103’s
Episode 3402 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what happened when two F-102’s were ordered to shoot down an F-4 over North Vietnam. The featured story is titled: USAF ATC recalls directing 2 F-102s to shoot down fully laden F-4 flying towards China after crew ejected. It appeared on the Aviation Geek Club website and was submitted by Dario Leone.
Leone reported that During the Vietnam War, American military aviators faced extraordinary dangers, and their courage, skill, and dedication helped define the greatness of an entire generation of Vietnam Veterans. One remarkable story from the skies over Southeast Asia involved an F-4 Phantom fighter jet that continued flying after its crew had successfully ejected.
Ejection seats became one of the most important lifesaving innovations in military aviation. Before their introduction, pilots had to manually remove their aircraft canopies and bail out, often under extremely dangerous conditions. Modern ejection seats use explosive charges and guiding rails to propel aircrews safely away from damaged aircraft, giving pilots and navigators a fighting chance to survive.
But one incident during the Vietnam War demonstrated that ejecting from an aircraft did not necessarily mean the danger was over.
Former U.S. Air Force controller Marc Santacroce, who directed American strike aircraft during the war, recalled an extraordinary encounter involving a battle-damaged F-4 Phantom. The aircraft could not release its bombs or lower its landing gear. After consulting headquarters, the decision was made to have the crew eject and allow the fighter to run out of fuel over the Gulf of Tonkin.
The crew successfully ejected, but the fully armed, unmanned F-4 continued flying! Even more alarming, the Phantom turned northeast toward Hainan Island, China, raising fears that it could enter Chinese airspace and potentially trigger an international military crisis.
Santacroce scrambled two American F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors from Da Nang with orders to destroy the runaway fighter before it crossed into Chinese territory.
The interceptors raced toward the unmanned Phantom with afterburners blazing. Fortunately, the F-4 ran out of fuel and crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin before the F-102s could engage it.
The greatest news was that the F-4 crew survived and was successfully rescued.
This incredible Vietnam War aviation story reminds us of the dangers American military pilots faced every day. We must never forget the courage, professionalism, sacrifice, and greatness of ALL our Vietnam Veterans, including the pilots, navigators, aircrews, controllers, and rescue personnel who served our country.
Vietnam Veterans are an extraordinary generation of American heroes whose service and sacrifices deserve everlasting respect!
Listen to episode 3402 and discover more about what happened when two F-102’s were ordered to shoot down an F-4 over North Vietnam.
