Turkish RF4's to be withdrawn from service immediately

[CG3]

Just reported that THK RF-4's to be withdrawn following recent crashes and safety concerns.

[Stratofreighter]

Yup...
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey ... &nid=79511

March/11/2015

Turkish Air Force Commander Gen. Abidin Ünal announced on March 11 that the fleet of RF-4E fighter jets, which have been involved in three accidents in less than two weeks, killing six pilots,
will be decommissioned as of March 12.

Speaking at the Combatant Air Force and Air Missile Defense Command, Ünal announce that the flights of the RF-4E jets would be terminated from March 12,
the “war reconnaissance codes” tests of F-16 fighter jets were finalized on March 10.

The Turkish Air Forces fleet has eight of the RF-4E fighter jets in its inventory, which will be decommissioned as of March 12.

The last flights on these jets will be conducted by Turkish Air Force Commander Gen. Akın Öztürk and Ünal.

Meanwhile, the military plans to keep the controversial F-4 fighter jets,
which are the modernized version of RF-4s,
in use until 2020.

On March 10, Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz said the latest jet crash was likely caused by pilot error, even though the report on the accident was not yet complete.
Yılmaz had also stated that the F-4’s would remain in use until 2020.

[Alpha Kilo One]

Donnerwetter

[jp 74]

Sad news, only 3 operational operators of the RF4 left....

[Trabanti]

Soon only 2 if what I heard at Araxos last year is correct; Greece plans to decommission them as well in or before 2016..

[Arjan]

I have heard that the Japanese will also retire the RF-4 next year? Not sure if this is correct, anyone?

[SquAdmin]

I have heard that the Japanese will also retire the RF-4 next year?

All RF-4's or only the ones with camera's in the nose? (as some F-4 carrying recce pods also carry the RF-4 designation)