4417th Tactical Fighter Unit

The 4417th Tactical Fighter Unit was a provisional United States Air Force unit activated in 1963 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Its primary mission was to conduct operational testing and evaluation of the new F-4C Phantom II fighter jet, assessing its suitability for combat roles. The unit played a pivotal role in developing tactics and procedures for the F-4C's deployment within the Tactical Air Command. After completing its testing and evaluation mission, the 4417th was inactivated in 1964, with its personnel and equipment transferred to operational squadrons.