PhanCon will return to Andravida Air Base in May 2026, providing participants with unprecedented access to Greece’s operational F-4E AUP Phantom II fleet and the personnel that keep it flying.
The European Phantom Conference (PhanCon) returns once again to Greece in May 2026 for its latest edition. The event brought aviation enthusiasts from around the world to Andravida Air Force Base to get a very rare look at one of the last operational F-4 Phantom II aircraft anywhere in the world.
The event was organized by the Hellenic Air Force and showcased assets related to the 338 Mira of the 117 Combat Wing, was sponsored by the Phantom II Society and was organized by European Liaison Coert Van Breda. Our friend and aerial photographer Jerry McGrath had the opportunity to attend PhanCon 2026 in Andravida. While there, he captured some great photos of the remaining Hellenic F-4E and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making it work.
phantom conference
Originally, the Phantom Conference was an event sponsored by the F-4 Phantom II Society once a year to bring together F-4 enthusiasts from around the world. The last event took place in 2016, shortly before the QF-4 was retired from the U.S. Air Force.
In July 2022, the event moved to Europe, specifically Greece, where five new events have been held so far. PhanCon 2026 continued a tradition that has become increasingly important as the number of active phantom operators declines each year.
This event is designed to preserve the history and legacy of the F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. This group reunites aviators, mechanics, photographers, modelers and enthusiasts alike, with or without first-hand experience with the Phantom, to share experiences and get the chance to reunite with friends and admire the F-4 together each year.
This year, PhanCon began unofficially a day early in the valley formed by the Vouraikos River in the heart of the Peloponnese Mountains. This area is famous for being used for low altitude training.
McGrath told us:
“Individuals gathered from all over the world (Japan, EU, US and a healthy dose of Greek fans!) to listen and wait as the F-4E roared through the low altitude canyon, much to the delight of the assembled attendees! We had a great time catching up with old friends and making new ones with a deep love for the Phantom.”
Day 1
The next day, the group traveled to Andravida, home of the 117th Fighter Wing and Air Tactical Center, for the first day of the official Phantom Conference. McGrath told us:
“The official kickoff consisted of attendees receiving a bunch of rewards (coins, patches, etc!) to start PhanCon off with administrative talks and more camaraderie. Many of us hadn’t seen each other since the last PhanCon, and we headed to the base for two days of Spooky Hijinx.”
The day began with a visit to 338 Mira’s Squadron House to view the Phantom and the squadron’s collection of memorabilia. Participants then moved to the airship and witnessed the first two takeoffs of the day. A pair of F-4E AUPs roared down the runway, took to the sky, and disappeared from sight.
Unlike many aviation events of this genre, PhanCon is known for providing insight into day-to-day squadron operations rather than focusing solely on photo opportunities. Indeed, McGrath went on to say:
“As an operational tour, we were treated to daily care and maintenance, as well as flights of the F-4E. We saw how Phantoms are stored and prepared for flight, before being treated to a nice Greek lunch courtesy of Swing. There was also Moussaka and Souvlaki on the menu and a bit of celebration. The launch of Keith Snyder’s new book took place at Lone Star Phantoms, available for pick-up, and Master Organizer Coert Van Breda was congratulated by his daughters. Reviving PhanCon and continuing in Greece It’s his dedication and dedication to maintain.”
Like the morning, the afternoon was a mix of flight operations and base tours. This led to a pair of Phantoms demonstrating an attack profile on the base and a visit to a maintenance facility, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Greece continues to maintain a fleet that first entered service decades ago.
McGrath said:
“There were afternoon launches on the way back to base… and then the attack! A pair of F-4s dazzled attendees by launching and simulating an attack on the squadron house. While the Rhinos vaped overhead and withdrew from the ground attack, we toured the light maintenance facility with a recently flown Phantom, did some routine inspections, and took sunset photos with the demo jet up to the peak of the night for a night departure (burner!).”
The demo jet received special livery with the Phantom’s Spook emblem over the Greek flag on the tail, and the inscription “175,338 Spooky Hours” was applied to the cannon fairings. The livery is completed by an external fuel tank decorated with the words “Phear the Spooks”.
Here’s how McGrath described the shoot:
“Once the F-4 demo jet was powered up, we gathered around to take some startup photos and listen to the live whirling sounds of the J79. Soon the F-4 demo jet took off and moved down the taxiway (literally running behind the jet) to its original position. With the sun in the background and the aerial stairs available, memories and photos were created (no doubt many had already completed their tours). Rich Cooper and Steven for driving their cats and taking these perfect photos. Big thanks to Comber… A pair of rhino’s roaring towards the tarmac in the dark with nothing but afterburners!”
Day 2
The second day of the Phantom Conference began with a return visit to the maintenance facility. This time it was to see more in-depth work on an aircraft that has already served Greece for over 50 years. Attendees at PhanCon were able to observe various maintenance phases of the aircraft, including engine maintenance and instances where engines were removed and major structural components were exposed.
McGrath said:
“We returned and headed to Phantom Phixers, where the base’s experienced crews do extensive warehouse work! A tour of the engine plant where the J79s are maintained and stored and a chat with the employees delighted many attendees as they worked, while others moved to the warehouse hangers where two aircraft were working on deeper fixings. We took the opportunity to take a deep look with panels removed, engines shut down, wings taken apart for repairs and the stress of everyday life relieved. We are ready to take off to provide more services.”
One particularly notable highlight of the garage visit was the sight of another aircraft being prepared to return to service.
“Surprisingly… we have a new tail number! 71756 is almost complete and we are hoping to be ready to fly soon!”
But the real highlight of PhanCon 2026 was yet to come and it surprised all attendees. These were the rare 6-ship Phantom Flypass. Here’s how our friend explained it:
“As we circled the base on the bus, we repositioned ourselves for the surprise of the event. Six F-4s took off and flew over the base! Watching the planes roll, stage, and roar was a trip down memory lane. Many of the people there had never seen a four come to life, and here we were with a six coming to life! Six Phantoms in Vic formation (6 inside) flew over the base at low level, roaring. They swallowed the cheers of the onlookers and came back for a second pass with a big swing, this time breaking off one at a time with a burner to recover.”
In particular, the two Phantoms with smoking engines were placed exactly in the center of the formation. The leader of the six-plane squadron was a specially colored demonstration jet.
After lunch, the group had a nice chat with the fleet commander. He addressed the group at large and had many individual conversations with attendees, explaining what the F-4 means to Greece and the squadron.
McGrath added:
“Andy Mueller also presented (the Commander) with his dog Geoffrey and a patch from Giraffes on Tour, an amazing charity benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital. Andy had previously flown Geoffrey on one of his flights, as he had previously flown the 338 Mira on an F-4E. Theo was so touched he put the patch on him almost immediately!”
To conclude the event, another evening photo shoot was organized for the launch of two F-4s and once again the demo jet was part of the flyover.
“As the event began to wind down, we did one more set-up with the help of Rich and Steven. It was an evening flight with more afterburners. As dusk blanketed the base, some of us moved down the runway. Two F-4s (one a Demo Jet) taxied and roared in, providing beautiful shots of full burners to close the event.”
Once again, at the end of the event, all participants took home great memories of two days immersed in the life of the world’s last Phantom. With the F-4E AUP’s service life soon coming to an end in the Hellenic Air Force, events like PhanCon are becoming increasingly valuable not only to enthusiasts but also to document one of military aviation’s most iconic aircraft before it ends operational service.
McGrath summarized the experience:
“Seeing the base in full operational mode is a unique experience. This is not a day of reconnaissance where things are put away and full access is granted. This is the Greek Air Force doing what they do best – keeping these massive beasts in the sky in a very real way, giving us a glimpse into their daily lives. Simply… fantastic.”
Thanks again to Jerry McGrath for sending the photos and helping prepare this article. certainly follow him Check out our Instagram for more details!
