This self-portrait was quickly snapped by Col. Pewitt in the F4's rear view mirror while a few miles north of Hanoi, North Vietnam. (Photo courtesy Col. J.D. Pewitt)

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"When Wade Meyers released his first full-color print, Riveting Images was proud to introduce it. This print, and the unique subject it depicts, is not only a great image of a unique aircraft it is also one of the best values in aviation art." -Kerry Fores

S/N by Col. Pewitt and the artist
Approx. 20" x 28"
Printed on 100 lb. archival stock.
L/E of 1200 - $55.00
L/E of 120 A/P - $75.00

The real "Chico" in the Da Nang arm/de-arm area before heading out for a mission in the early summer of 1972 (Photo courtesy Col. J.D. Pewitt)

During the Spring 1972 North Vietnamese Army invasions across the DMZ into South Vietnam, 366th TFW "Gunfighters" Director of Operation Col. J. Dudley Pewitt conceived the idea of operating on of the Wing's Da Nang-based F-4Es as a heavily armed search and destroy aircraft. The 366 TFW was the last F-4 Wing in South Vietnam by this time, and very close to the DMZ. These factors, coupled with the NVA invasions, led to the inspiration for this special Phantom which was created to destroy targets based on up-to-the-minute intelligence information on troop movements, ammunition storage, POL, and riverboat traffic in areas near the DMZ. There being no existing provision under the Rules of Engagement for such a unique aircraft, "Chico" operated on paper as a "FAST FAC", and more specifically a "Stormy FAC", which was the name of the actual F-4 FACs. Under the ROE, this allowed "Chico" to roam alone, unescorted.
     After consulting with armament technicians, and approval from HQ 7AF, "Chico", and F-4E-37-MC (68-339) belonging to the 421st TFS "Black Widows", was wired to accept the new SUU-23/A gun pods on the outboard pylons, with a pair of Navy Mk. 20 Rockeye II cluster bombs on each inboard station. The callsign "Chico" alerted airborne FACs that a "special" F-4 was available. The loadout was easily re-configured so the aircraft could be used for normal, daily missions.
     Col. Pewitt flew Chico in this configuration frequently from April to June 1972. In June the Wing moved to Tahkli RTAB, Thailand, and, due to the distances involved, no longer operated the short range/short notice missions for which Chico was conceived.
     The aircraft was used with devastating success in its intended purpose, but remained the only USAF Phantom approved to operate in that configuration. She was truly a special aircraft.      -Wade Meyers, June 2000

This painting depicts a mission flown on 21 May, 1972, in the Ashau River Valley just below the DMZ, in which Col. Pewitt and his WSO, Lt. Bubba Craighead, earned the Silver Star for successful repeated attacks on a very heavily armed enemy site which had pinned down U.S. troops.

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