The F4E depicted was tasked to 'cold soak" Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles in the troposphere at 53,000 feetabove Darwin in a joint exercise for the RAAF and the United States Navy in 1972.The aircraft is being readied for flight by the aircrew and ground crew at RAAF Darwin.F4E at start up RAAF Darwin tarmac.Armed with Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Photograph taken from the aircraft nose showing raised cockpit canopies,groundcrew and aircrew readying the airrcraft for flight. Note air start is connected Aircraft Serial No. A69-217.f4e, raaf, missle, peace time, darwin, vietnam, noelryan

Phantom F4Epicture, raaf

Squadron Leader Alan Reed from the Royal Australian Air Force 052363 served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. He spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element) A black one piece Dining Suit (party suit) similar in style to a short sleeve Flying Suit, with zippered front and pockets, bearing Squadron Leader epaulettes worn by the then Squadron Leader Alan Reed whilst serving in Vietnam in 1968. It has a white embroidered RAAF brevet on the left chest, with a "Phamous Phantom Spook" (82 Wing RAAF F4E) caricature above the embroidered name ALAN REED on the right chest. Three additional embroidered patches are attached to the suit (RF-4C, 100 Missions Vietnam and Aussie Air Pirate) two on the chest and one on the left sleeve.White embroidered RAAF Brevet on left breast."Phan"alan reed, united states air force, air pilots, royal australian air force, squadron leader, air vice marshall allan reed, squadron leader alan reed, pilot, headquarters, australian force vietnam, raaf element, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, officer of the order of australia, ao, united states distinguished flying cross, 052363

Wing Commander Martin Susans joined the FAAF as a trainee pilot in 1964. His flying experience has been mainly on fighter and strike aircraft including Sabre, Mirage, F4E and F111Caustralia - royal australian airforce, mirage (fighter planes)