Congrats to Pokedad59 for the FTF
To Claim This find, Please Complete the Following:
1. Message or email the CO the answer to the following question:
what animal do you see in the afterburners of the jet?
2. Include a photo of yourself (or an item representing you) with your log at GZ with the jet in the background.
Note: "Found it" logs that do not meet these two requirements will be deleted.
Aircraft
The aircraft at GZ is a restored McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, a legendary fighter that served at the local Air Force base for 48 years.
The Phantom is a tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic interceptor and fighter-bomber, first flown in 1958 and operated by the U.S. Navy, Marines, and Air Force. It was a dominant Cold War aircraft, with 5,195 built, capable of speeds over Mach 2.
- Role & Versatility: Originally designed as a carrier-based fleet defense interceptor, it evolved into a multi-role aircraft used for air superiority, close air support, and reconnaissance
- Armament: Early models lacked an internal gun, relying on missiles, but later versions (F-4E) added a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon. It could carry up to 16,000 lbs of ordnance
- Service & Legacy: Known as the "Rhino" or "Double Ugly," it served in Vietnam and the Middle East. It set numerous speed and altitude records and remained in service for decades.
- Performance: The F-4 reached top speeds of 1,400 mph (Mach 2+) and could operate at altitudes over 59,000 ft.
Monument
The F-4 Phantom display here was envisioned as a gateway marker welcoming visitors to Alamogordo. For residents, it stands as a reminder of military sacrifice and the city’s role in national defense. For civic leaders, it is a rallying point for redevelopment and tourism initiatives along the US-54/US-70 corridor showcasing local pride as a welcoming symbol to our military.
The monument held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 8, 2025. The restoration was made possible through hundreds of volunteer hours from Air Force base personnel and local contractors donating time and materials and civic leadership.
There is new paved parking right near the monument. Easiest access is through the nearby gas station.
Virtual Rewards 5.0 - 2026-2027
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between February 3, 2026 and February 3, 2027. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 5.0 on the Geocaching Blog.