PhanCon returns to Andravida Air Base in May 2026, giving participants unprecedented access to Greece’s operational F-4E AUP Phantom II fleet and the personnel who keep them flying.
this european phantom conference (PhanCon) returns to Greece again in May 2026 to launch its latest edition. The event draws aviation enthusiasts from around the world to Andravida Air Base for an extremely rare glimpse of one of the last operational F-4 Phantom II fleets anywhere in the world.
The event was hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, showcasing assets related to the 117th Fighter Wing 338 Mira, and sponsored by the Phantom II Association, headed by its European Liaison Coert Van Breda. Our friend and aerial photographer Jerry McGrath had the opportunity to attend PhanCon 2026 Andravidawhere he captured some great photos of the remaining Greek F-4Es and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping them operational.
phantom session
The original Phantom Convention was an annual event hosted by the F-4 Phantom II Society for F-4 enthusiasts from around the world to gather. The last event was held in 2016 QF-4 retired Retired from the United States Air Force.
In July 2022, the event moved to Europe, specifically to Greece, where five new editions have been held so far. PhanCon 2026 continues this tradition, which has become increasingly important as the number of active Phantom operators dwindles every year.
The event is dedicated to preserving history and heritage F-4 Phantom II fighter. The group brings together pilots, maintainers, photographers, modelers and all enthusiasts with or without direct flight of a Phantom for an annual opportunity to share experiences, meet friends again and enjoy the F-4 together.
This year’s PhanCon conference kicked off unofficially one day early in the valley formed by the Vouraikos River deep in the Peloponnese Mountains. This area is used for low altitude training.
McGrath told us:
“People from all over the world (Japan, the EU, the US and a healthy crowd of Greek fans!) gathered to listen and wait for the F-4E to roar low through the canyon, to the delight of the assembled attendees! We spent time catching up with old friends, making new ones, and all shared a deep love for the Phantom.”
first day
The next day, a group of people moved to AndravidaHome to the 117th Combat Wing and Air Tactics Center, it was the first official day of the Phantom Conference. McGrath told us:
“It officially started with attendees receiving great gifts (coins, patches, and more!), starting PhanCon with some executive conversation and more camaraderie, many of us not having seen each other since the last PhanCon, and then heading to the base for 2 days of Spooky Hijinx.”
The day began with a visit to the 338 Mira Squadron Home to explore the Phantoms and the squadron’s collection of memorabilia. Participants then headed to the flight line to witness the first two takeoffs of the day, including a pair F-4E AUPIt roared down the runway, roared into the sky, and accelerated out of sight.
Unlike many such aviation events, PhanCon is known for providing an in-depth look into the day-to-day operations of a squadron rather than just focusing on photo opportunities. In fact, McGrath continued:
“As an operational tour, we enjoyed not only the experience of flying the F-4E, but also the routine care and maintenance. We were shown how the Mirage is stored and prepared for flight, then took a break for a hearty Greek lunch provided by Swing. Moussaka and kebabs were on the menu, and there was a small celebration. Keith Snyder introduced a new book about the Lone Star Mirage, available for pickup, and lead organizer Coert Van Breda This is celebrated. His daughters thank him for his dedication and commitment to revitalizing PhanCon and allowing it to continue to grow in Greece.”
Similar to the morning, the afternoon included both flight operations and a base visit. Two Mirage fighter jets demonstrated attacks over the base and a tour of the maintenance facilities provided a behind-the-scenes look at how Greece continues to maintain a fleet that first entered service decades ago.
McGrath recalled:
“Back at base, we saw the afternoon launch…and then the attack! Two F-4s launched and simulated an attack on the squadron, Rhinos soared overhead and pulled away from the ground attack, dazzling attendees. Next, we toured their light maintenance facility, a Phantom that had flown recently and received some routine inspections, and finally the Night King: sunset shots with the demo jets and night takeoffs (burners!).”
The demonstration jet was given a special livery, featuring phantom ghost There is a Greek flag above the tail, while the cannon’s cowl has the words “175,338 Ghost Hours” engraved on it. The livery also includes an external fuel tank decorated with “Phear the Spooks” lettering.
McGrath described the shoot this way:
“As the F-4 demonstration jet launched, we gathered together, took photos of the launch, and listened to those sweet J79 spins. Soon it was taxiing and we were chasing it (actually chasing the jet) down the taxiway and back to its reset position. With the backdrop of sunlight and the help of the aerial staircase, memories and shots were made (no doubt many were made). Many thanks to Rich Cooper and Steven Comber Channeling the cats and setting up this perfect shot…a pair of rhinos gliding through the darkness with nothing but their afterburners charging down the runway!”
the next day
The second day of the Phantom session we visited the maintenance facility again, this time to get a more in-depth look at the work that goes into the aircraft, Served in Greece Has a history of over 50 years. PhanCon attendees were able to observe aircraft in various stages of maintenance, including examples of engines being removed and major structural components exposed, as well as engine maintenance.
McGrath said:
“We were back and headed to Phantom Phixers, the heavy warehouse job performed by the skilled staff at the base! Visited to maintain and store J79 “
A particularly noteworthy highlight of the visit to the maintenance area was the appearance of another aircraft preparing to return to service.
“To our surprise… the new tail number! 71756 is almost complete and will hopefully take off soon!”
However, the real highlight of PhanCon 2026 is yet to come, surprising all attendees: a rare six-ship Phantom flight show. Our friends describe it this way:
“On the bus around the base we repositioned for this surprising event: six, you heard that right, six F-4s taking off and flying over the base! Watching the planes taxi out, land and roar down brought back so many memories. Many people there had never seen a 4th ship, let alone a 6th ship, and there it was right in front of us! Six Phantoms in VIC formation (6 of them The rack was stuffed) flying over the base. They whizzed by at low altitude, drowning out the cheers of onlookers, and they circled back wide for a second pass, this time snapping off one at a time to recover.”
It is worth noting that both Phantoms with black smoke engines were located exactly in the center of the formation. Leading the pack of six aircraft is a specially colored demonstration jet.
After lunch, the group had a pleasant conversation with the squadron leader. He addressed all attendees and held several individual conversations with attendees, explaining what the F-4 means to Greece and the squadron.
McGrath added:
“Andy Mueller also suggested [the Commander] Featuring his own Geoffrey and a patch from Giraffe Tour, a fantastic charity benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital. Andy had previously flown the Jeffrey on one of his flights, as well as the 338 Mira in an F-4E. Theo was so impressed that he put the patch on almost immediately! “
At the end of the event, another evening photo shoot was organized for the launch of two F-4s, demonstrating that the jets were once again part of the flight.
“Towards the end of the event, we set up again with the help of Rich and Steven for a night flight with more afterburners. As dusk fell over the base, a group of us moved down the runway. Two F-4s, one of which was a demonstration jet, taxied out and roared, providing a beautiful shot of full afterburners to cap off the event.”
After the event, all participants once again took home the beautiful memories they had immersed in their lives over the past two days. some of the world’s last phantoms. As the F-4E AUP nears the end of its service life with the Hellenic Air Force, events such as PhanCon are becoming increasingly valuable not only for enthusiasts, but also for documenting one of military aviation’s most iconic aircraft before its eventual retirement.
McGrath summed up the experience:
“Seeing the base in full operational mode was a unique experience. This wasn’t an observer’s day where things were put away and full access was allowed. This was the Hellenic Air Force at its best, keeping these massive beasts in the sky in a very real way and giving us a glimpse into their daily lives. It was simply… awesome.”
Thanks again to Jerry McGrath for sending us the photos and for his help in preparing this article. make sure follow him Learn more on Instagram!