In 1970, the 526th TFS was assigned to the 26th TRW. In January 1973, the 86th TFW became the parent unit of this squadron. A few months later, on 11 October 1973, this aircraft crashed near Zaragoza in Spain.

The 526th TFS was assigned to the 26th TRW at Ramstein when it received its first Phantoms in 1969. In January 1973, the 26th TRW moved to Zweibrücken, but the 526th stayed at Ramstein and joined the incoming 86th TFW. This is a very early 526th TFS F-4E photo. The aircraft was later converted to F-4G.