JG.71 'Richthofen'
Wittmund Air Base
Situated in Northern Germany, Wittmund is home to Jagdeschwader 71 'Richthofen' and has flown the once ubiquitous McDonnell F-4F Phantom since 1974. In June 2008 Jetwash Aviation Photo's visited the last remaining McDonnell F-4 Phantom unit in the German Luftwaffe to see how the 'Rhino' was fairing in its last few years of service.
Jagdeschwader 71 was established on 6th June 1959 at Ahlhorn with the Canadair CL-13 Sabre, a licence built F-86 version and was the first jet fighter unit in the German Air Force. It flew this aircraft until it was replaced with the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and subsequently the F-4F Phantom. The F-4F Phantom is currently being replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon in Luftwaffe service.
The unit gained it's nickname 'Richthofen' on 21st April 1963 and is named after the First World War fighter 'Ace' Baron Manfred von Richthofen, otherwise known as the 'Red Baron'. The unit currently forms part of 4 Luftwaffendivision at Aurich.
As mentioned before the Phantoms are in the process of being withdrawn from service as we go to press, JG-74 at Neuburg having recently converted to the Eurofighter Typhoon. JG.71 is due to follow suit with work already taking place at Wittmund in readiness for its arrival, which is scheduled to begin in 2010 and herald the withdrawal of the last F-4's in Luftwaffe service.
Wittmund is also home to British Aerospace Flight Systems operating a number of Douglas A-4N Skyhawks.
These ex Israeli Air Force machines carry civilian serials and provide target towing facilities and provide an
opportunity for the based Phantoms to engage in Disimilar Air Combat Training (DACT).
38-48 sits in its hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) on 23rd June 2008 awaiting the crew
The business end of a Luftwaffe Phantom
Unfortunately the weather during our visit to Wittmund was unlike what you would expect in June.
The crew of this F-4 look decidedly cold as they return in the rain after a morning mission.
38-45 taxies to the 'Last Chance' checkpoint as part of a four-ship launch
N268WL, a British Aerospace owned Douglas A-4N Skyhawk about to depart its ramp to go 'play' with the F-4's
Two of Flight Systems A-4N Skyhawks about to depart on runway 08 for their first mission of the day
The McDonnell F-4F Phantom entered service with the German Air Force in 1970, a multi-role aircraft initially designed for the US. Navy it is a capable air to air and air to ground platform and was upgraded by the Luftwaffe in the '90's with the APG-65 radar (used on the FA-18 Hornet) and the capability to carry AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile). This allowed them to have a BVR capability with cutting edge technology including HOTAS (Hands On Throttle and Stick), HUD (Head Up Display) and MFD's (Multi Function Display) also being added. The upgrade lead to it being known as the F-4F ICE.
38-45 roars down runway 08, powered by it's General Electric J-79 engine to go bag an A-4.
Standing very close and behind one of these awsome beasts at this point in its take-off roll is ear shattering
Phantom 38-01 returns to the shelter area having completed another sortie
Tucked up safe and sound in one of the maintenance hangers at Wittmund
38-48 joins up at the 'Last Chance' to complete a four-ship flight
Everything checked, pins pulled and it's off to the runway threshold for take off
Having left the 'Last Chance' 38-58 taxies towards the threshold of 08 for departure
A preserved F-4F Phantom (37-11) resides in the HAS area at Wittmund
As mentioned above, JG.71 once flew the Canadair CL.13 Sabre. This example is preserved at the nearby
barracks in Wittmund, as is the F-104 Starfighter below
Thanks go to the following for help in arranging our visits to Wittmund:-
Chris Duismann at JG.71
Uwe Cremer at JG.71
Oberfeldwebel Jacqueline Strang for escorting us on base