The Phantom remained in production from 1958 to 1981, with a total of 5,195 built. The Phantom was used by the U.S. military from 1960 to 1996, serving with the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps as well as the Navy. It was used heavily by all three U.S. services in the Vietnam War, ending the war as the principal air superiority fighter for both the Navy and Air Force, as well as being important in the ground attack and reconnaissance roles.
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The Phantom was also operated by the armed forces of 11 other nations. Israeli Phantoms saw extensive combat in numerous Arab–Israeli conflicts, while Iran used its large fleet of Phantoms in the Iran–Iraq War. Phantoms remain in front line service with seven countries, and in use as an unmanned target in the U.S. Air Force.