South Korea’s F-4E Phantom fighter jet completed its final live-fire exercises last week, marking the end of an era for the assets that were once vital to the ROK’s air defense against North Korea. 

After 55 years of service, the ROK’s fleet of F-4E Phantoms will be retired on June 7, along with the AGM-142 “Pop-eye” missiles, according to an ROK air force press release. 

The press release noted that exercises with MK-82 air-to-ground bombs were also conducted.

The Phantom jets were first introduced to the ROK air force in 1969 and soon gained a reputation as an “all-weather, all-purpose