The McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II was one of the finest combat fighters of the 20th century and was produced in larger numbers than any other American fighter since World War II. Designed as an all-weather, long-range, supersonic jet interceptor, fighter, and bomber, it became the first U.S. aircraft in history to be flown concurrently by the USAF, USN, and USMC. Powered by two GE-J79 afterburning turbojet engines, it delivered unprecedented performance for an aircraft of its size, setting 16 speed, altitude, and time-to-climb records, reaching 1,604 mph, or Mach 2.2, and a record altitude of 98,556 feet. Its distinctive upswept wing tips and downturned tail marked one of the most successful American fighter, interceptor, bomber, and all-weather aircraft designs in history. The F-4 earned its warbird reputation in Vietnam, where it flew nearly 600,000 sorties, lost 516 aircraft in combat, including 193 over North Vietnam, and claimed 280 enemy kills, more than any other U.S. fighter during the war. It also served in combat during the 1991 Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. As a bomber, it could carry up to 18,650 pounds of weapons on nine external hardpoints, including general purpose bombs, smart bombs, and missiles, and later models also included a 20mm M61 Vulcan Gatling cannon. By the end of U.S. production in 1979, it served as the front-line fighter-bomber for the militaries of 12 nations, and it was the only aircraft chosen by both the USAF Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels demonstration teams. The specific aircraft numbered 63-7426 flew nearly 400 Vietnam missions.