JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The temperature was nearing 90 degrees at 9 a.m. on July 1 when 13 volunteers gathered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey to transport the newly restored F-4 Phantom II aircraft from Hangar 1 to the Navy Lakehurst Air Park, where it would remain as a static display. From the smiles on their faces, it was evident a summer heat wave was not going to impact their excitement at completing the final step after a year-long restoration project.
Like the restoration process itself, maneuvering the historic Vietnam-era fighter jet took careful attention to detail because the wingtips were within inches of storage containers inside the hangar. The approximately 90-minute process in increasing temperatures and humidity was made easier with the teamwork and enthusiasm of the volunteers.
"For over a year, this dedicated group of volunteers has poured their time and passion into meticulously restoring this iconic F-4 Phantom,” said U.S. Navy Capt. James Howell, Naval Support Activity commander and JB MDL deputy commander. “This static display stands not just as a piece of history, but as a testament to their hard work and a fitting tribute to the legacy of those who flew and maintained it."
The F-4 first flew in 1958, until its 1996 retirement, starting as a Navy interceptor before evolving into the primary, multi-role combat aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, Marines and Air Force during the Vietnam War.
JB MDL has a total of 16 aircraft static displays, including two helicopters. The F-4 static display at the Navy Lakehurst Park was last restored in 2011. Capt. Howell approved the plan to restore the F-4 in 2025 after recommendation from members of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society.
“We look at the planes that need attention first based upon what kind of condition they are in,” said Joe Ciaburri, NLHS conservator and U.S. Air Force veteran. “We decided to go with the F-4 because it had a cracked canopy. We’ll take care of fixing the canopy and then repaint it.”
A must-have when starting any aircraft restoration is assembling a group of dedicated and passionate volunteers to see the project through to completion. Volunteers are often made up of veterans, especially those whose military careers included aircraft maintenance, members of NLHS, and military and civilian personnel from the installation.
The volunteers for the F-4 restoration project started work on May 27, 2025, and finished June 30, 2026, though working was not continuous for the full 13 months due to lighting and temperature restrictions.
“Once it drops below a certain temperature, we can still do sanding, but we can’t do any body filler or fiberglass work, or paint,” said Ciaburri.
Rodger Jordan, NLHS aircraft maintenance superintendent and conservator, and Air Force veteran, emphasized what conditions can be like during the winter inside the hangar.
“If it’s 20 degrees outside, it is 10 degrees in the hangar,” explained Jordan. “Moisture accumulates in the hangar and freezes, then it comes down as snow inside the hangar.”
Navy and Marine aircraft are subject to salt water out at sea, so corrosion is an issue that needs to be repaired during a restoration before sanding and painting.
“The F-4 had some spots of corrosion which took me a few weeks to fix,” said Ciaburri.
“Whatever the plane needs, we try to accomplish it within our restraints,” said Jordan.
For the paint design, the restoration team used the design of Fighter Squadron 111, famously known as the “Sundowners.” The unit deployed on the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) to fly combat missions over North Vietnam.
The restoration team obtained approval to use the design from the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, which requires paint schemes to have strong historical accuracy.
It is also necessary to choose the names that are painted on either side of the restored aircraft under the canopy, which is traditionally the individuals who piloted the aircraft during their military careers. Mariya Wakem, U.S. Army Reserve veteran, whose grandfather U.S. Marine Col. John Black flew F-4 combat missions over Vietnam, was a volunteer on the project and asked if his name could be painted on the aircraft. The team agreed.
Black earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Air Medals for his steady judgement and composure while in the pilot’s seat, said Wakem. Also notable during his career, he and his radar intercept officer ejected from an F-4, which suffered catastrophic failure over the Mojave Desert - both men were found alive three days later.
It is very meaningful to Wakem, her children and her grandmother to have Black’s name posthumously painted on the restored F-4.
“It is hard to put into words and describe the pride I have knowing I helped bring this old Phantom back to life…getting to share my grandfather’s story with the volunteers and my children has brought so much joy,” said Wakem. “My grandmother is the one it has meant the most to though. She was beyond touched and proud.”
Volunteers have many personal reasons for why they became involved in historical aircraft restoration. Some often mention the joy and fulfillment they receive from doing something they love among a team that shares these same sentiments.
“I enjoyed just working on planes,” said Ciaburri. “Having worked on jet aircraft, not only did I rebuild the engines, I tested them after they were reinstalled back into the aircraft…I have a love for it.”
The next in line for restoration is the F/A-18 Hornet, which is due to begin in a few weeks. The NLHS is always looking for additional dedicated volunteers. If interested, you may go to the NLHS website: https://www.nlhs.com/ and leave a message on their “Tours” page.
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