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The reconnaissance version of the Phantom II was first flown as the YRF-4C on August 8th 1963 and entered production in May 1964 as the RF-4C. The new aircraft had all its bomb and missile delivery systems removed and its nose lengthened to accomodate a new radar. Extensive modifications were also made to the avionics suite and the plane can be fitted with a comprehensive array of alternative camera fittings. The RF-4C served in Vietnam from 1965 onwards has also been supplied to Germany, Australia, Iran, Japan, Spain, Greece, Turkey and South Korea.
When Israel was finally permitted to purchase the F-4E Phantom in 1968, it lost no time in also ordering six photo reconnaissance RF-4Es, an export version of the RF-4C with a reduced electronic fit. The RF-4Es however, did not arrive in Israel until February 1971, and the earliest Phantom reconnaissance missions were flown by regular F-4s. Even when the first RF-4s arrived, these were not the RF-4Es but rather a pair of RF-4Cs loaned to Israel under operation "Night Light". These were in service between August 1970 and March 1971 and were retired with the arrival of the RF-4Es. Upon its arrival, the RF-4E replaced the Dassault Mirage in the reconnaissance role, carrying a far more sophisticated suite of cameras than the Mirage. Unlike other RF-4Es that were unarmed, the IAF insisted that it's photo reconnaissance Phantoms carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The RF-4s were quickly pressed into service and proved their worth immediately, flying increasingly bold missions beyond Israel's borders. While most flights were conducted by a single aircraft, certain missions were flown by two or three aircraft simultaneously in order to get the maximum return on the undertaking while also swamping enemy defences. The earliest missions, during the early 1970s, were conducted to monitor Egypt's and Syria's dense air defences. These air defences were so lethal that RF-4E overflights would be flown at 1,100km/h at such low heights that the major hazards were bird strikes and fishing boat masts. Arab air defences would eventually become too dangerous and the IAF ceased RF-4 flights over the Suez Canal region in late 1970 and over the Syrian Golan in the summer of 1972. Furthermore, despite losing a number of aircraft, Arab air forces became more and more agressive in challenging the reconnaissance sorties and infiltrations of enemy air space became very rare during the 1970s. An RF-4E reconnaissance flight over Syria was the probable cause of a large air battle which took place on September 13th 1973 and resulted in the downing of 12 Syrian MiGs for the loss of a single Israeli Mirage.
The lack of timely intelligence was a costly hindrance to IAF operations during the Yom-Kippur War of 1973 and six more RF-4Es were procured after the war. Sometime in 1971 or 1972 the USA finally agreed to sell Israel its KA-90 HIAC-1 Long Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) camera, carried within the G-139 pod. These giant pods however, greatly reduced the RF-4E's performance and an internal camera installation was sought. Subsequently, During the early 1970s General Dynamics together with the USAF and IAF greatly advanced the reconnaissance Phantom formula in the 'Peace Jack' programme. Three IAF F-4Es were modified to carry a smaller HIAC-1 camera inside a lengthened Phantom nose and also featured modified engine inlets and other modifications for enhanced performance. Known as the F-4E(S) (S=special), F-4X or RF-4X, the first of these aircraft was delivered sometime in late 1975.
Israeli RF-4s were also fitted with an inflight refuelling probe for use with the IAF's tanker fleet. Although there is no definite knowledge of long range missions, the reconnaissance Phantoms have probably undertaken a great many such missions. Reconnaissance missions might have taken place some time before the June 7th 1981 raid on the Iraqi Osirak nuclear plant in Bahgdad, one apparently having taken place in October 1980. Similar missions might have also been flown before the October 1st 1985 raid on the PLO headquarters in Tunis, as well as in search of Iraqi Scud missiles and warheads. In a reported 1982 mission, two Iraqi MiG-21s attempted to intercept two RF-4s en route to photograph H-3 airfield. One of the MiGs crashed from fuel starvation and one of the RF-4s has carried an Iraqi kill marking ever since. The RF-4 pilot might have also received a citation for the 'downing' of the Iraqi MiG.
Although no concrete information exists, there are reports of at least four RF-4s having fallen in the line of duty. Reliable sources claim the loss of only a single reconnaissance Phantom, RF-4E '194' brought down by a Syrian SAM in 1974. The aircraft navigator/WSO (Weapons System Officer) was supposedly killed, while the pilot managed to eject at a record Mach 1.7 and 48,000ft. Other reports are of RF-4 '198' being shot down over the Nile Delta on November 9th 1973, and an Iraqi claim of an RF-4 shot down while photographing ballistic missile facilities near Mosul in 1986. An F-4E(S) or RF-4E is rumoured to have been shot down by a Syrian SAM over Lebanon on July 24th 1982. Because of the sensitive nature of the aircraft's avionics the IAF mounted a raid to destroy the downed plane. The attacking aircraft arrived in time to catch a group of Soviet nationals going through the wreckage, but the attack was pressed home regardless, killing 11 of them. Over the years, Egypt and Syria have also made various other claims of RF-4 kills.
The RF-4s are still the mainstay of Israel's tactical and strategic reconnaissance, as they have been for the last 30 years. Israeli RF-4s have been distributed among the various F-4 Phantom II squadrons, although the 119th "Atalef" (Bat) squadron has been especially noted for operationg the reconnaissance Phantoms. Over the years the IAF has upgraded and modified the aircraft's original reconnaissance systems with Israeli-produced apparatus. Some RF-4s may have also been fitted for synthetic aperature radar mapping and an infra-red linescan (IRLS) capacity to augment the optical reconnaissance systems.