Charles E. Kostreva is a United States Air Force Veteran (Sgt.). He entered the USAF right out of high school on 8/1/1979. Charles / “Chuck” became an aircraft mechanic and was assigned to Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC to the 363rd TRW in the 62nd /16th TAC RECON SQ. As a One Stripe Airman, he was fortunate to be assigned as the dedicated Crew Chief to RF-4C 66-0410. It was rare that an AMN was assigned as dedicated Crew Chief that early, but his name was on the cockpit to prove it. Chuck remained the Crew Chief of 66-0410 his entire 4 years in the service at Shaw.

He was awarded an orientation flight in an RF-4C, after which Col. Charles P. Sloan presented Chuck with a ‘Mach Buster’ certificate. It showed that they went supersonic and broke the speed of sound during the flight.

Chuck remembers getting in trouble for painting the tank tips red on 66-0410, however a nice photo of 66-0410 ended up in the 9th Air Force Headquarters, so someone must have liked it.

After leaving the Air Force 7/31/1983, Chuck stayed in Sumter for a few more years to complete his Aircraft Maintenance degree at Florence Darlington Tech, and to obtain his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Licenses. He pursued a job in the airline industry, but it never came to pass, so he moved back home to Central NY in 1987.

Over the years Chuck followed the whereabouts of 66-0410, and learned she had gone to the boneyard on 10/27/1989. Through contacts he was able to gather some photos and found out that 66-0410 was sent to B.A.E in Mojave on 11/19/2012 to be returned to flying status as a converted QF-4 drone. On 6/27/2013, 66-0410 took flight again, he was able to see video of the FCF takeoff. During the FCF, the left main landing gear was stuck in the retracted position, so an emergency landing at Edwards AFB was made, and she landed hard on the left wing. On 1/20/2014, 66-0410 was transported to AMARG. Chuck tried to save her by making some contacts for consideration as a display aircraft at the NMUSAF museum. His request was declined. Chuck had given up hope of ever seeing 66-0410 again, then he learned that Phancon-2015 was going to be at AMARG. He and wife, Melinda, attended Phancon-2015 and saw 66-0410. He was able to fulfill his dream to see her again. They attended Phancon-2016 at Holloman AFB to see the QF-4’s fly prior to retirement. On 12/19/2017, 66-0410 was sent to scrap, the end of an era.

“Phantoms Phorever”

Thanks to everyone who helped Chuck gather information about the aircraft he loved so well.

Chuck continues his love for aircraft by attending airshows and visiting air museums. For Christmas 2023, his daughters, Valerie & Caroline, gave him the gift of his name on the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Wall of Honor.