The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was one of the most powerful and versatile carrier-based fighters of the Cold War and became an icon of American naval aviation during the Vietnam era. Entering U.S. Navy service in the early 1960s, the two-seat, twin-engine Phantom was capable of flying at more than twice the speed of sound and could carry a formidable combination of air-to-air missiles, bombs, rockets, and other weapons. Originally designed as a fleet-defense interceptor, the F-4 quickly proved equally effective in air combat, ground attack, reconnaissance, and other missions. Navy and Marine Corps Phantoms saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War, where they engaged enemy MiG fighters and struck targets throughout Southeast Asia. With its distinctive swept wings, raised tail, powerful engines, and unmistakable silhouette, the F-4 Phantom II became one of the most recognizable military aircraft of its generation and helped define the transition to high-performance, missile-equipped carrier aviation.