The Tomcat Legacy; 35+ years from Fleet Air Defender to Recce to Precision Strike

[VetteMuscle427]

Tomcat carrying a HAWK? Nice...

 

[HokiePilot]

Here's another quick video featuring the cockpit view.

For those into the Hornet, here's pretty decently edited cockpit video (notice he launches with a Heater on the starboard wingtip, but it disappears later).

The coolest part of the video was definitely the helo taking off. BTW, how are they mounting those cameras? It seems to me lke a low level form flight is not the time that you want one of those falling off.

 

[HeyJoe]

Tomcat carrying a HAWK? Nice...

Yep, one weapon the Navy never considered carrying, but they had plenty of them so as they depleted their Phoenix stockpile, they sought an alternative since we weren't going to sell them any more.

 

[HeyJoe]

Not too surprising since - as you well know - those Iranian F-14 crews were trained by some our best Navy F-14 aircrews, the guys at TAFT det Isfahan, Iran....

Check out this video blast from the past...orange flightsuits and they're not even Aardvarks! And what's with wearing a cover while climbing into the cockpit? See anyone you know?

 

[HeyJoe]

there are some hornet drivers on this site, but if there are any 14 drivers, i havent seen them.

They are here (at least now, maybe not in 2003) and lining up on your six.....

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

A salute to the F 14 Tomcat

Let’s see some Tomcat photos. This one is for you HJ!

020301-N-7397A-001 At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Mar. 1, 2002 -- A timed photographic exposure of an F-14A "Tomcat" launching from the flight deck displays the afterburner trail of the aircraft as it accelerates away from the ship. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Michael Arteaga. (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

020402-N-3986D-001 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 2, 2002 -- Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Callahan, of Johnstown, OH, gives the launch signal for an F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103). Washington is homeported in Norfolk, VA, and is conducting a scheduled integrated training exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jessica Davis. (RELEASED)

020426-N-8029P-001 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 26, 2002 -- An F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) attached to USS George Washington battle group performs a high-speed pass while conducting integrated training exercises in the Caribbean. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Ramon Preciado. (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

020102-N-9769P-161 At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Jan. 2, 2002 - As the sun rises an F-14 "Tomcat" from the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) goes to full afterburner as it is launched from the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW 9) are deployed supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class (AW) Jayme Pastoric. (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

060922-N-5555T-001 Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 22, 2006) - Sailors from Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) salute the departing aircrew, marking the final flight of the F-14 Tomcat at Naval Air Station Oceana. This event officially retired the Tomcat after 36 years of honorable service in the United States Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin K. Thomas (RELEASED)

060922-N-1129M-184 Virginia Beach, Va. (Sept. 22, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), takes off from Naval Air Station Oceana as part of the "Sunset Ceremony" held at Naval Air Station Oceana. The ceremony commemorated those who designed, flew and maintained the F-14 Tomcat for 36 years. The F-14 Tomcat is being replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Julian R. Moorefield III (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

060310-N-0194K-007 Virginia Beach, Va. (March 10, 2006) - F-14 Tomcats assigned to the “Black lions” Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VF-213) and the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) fly in formation over Naval Air Station Oceana after completing its final deployment flying the F-14 Tomcats. For the past 30 years, the F-14 Tomcat has assured U.S. air superiority, playing a key role in ensuring victory and preserving peace around the world. The F-14 Tomcat will be removed from service and officially stricken from the inventory in September of 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Steven King (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

971124-N-1884F-001 (November 24th, 1997) Persian Gulf. An F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VF-102) prepares to make an arrested landing on board the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are currently operating in the Persian Gulf to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq, by patrolling the “no-fly” zone under operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Bryan Fetter (Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

060310-N-0194K-003 Virginia Beach, Va. (March 10, 2006) - A pilot assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) waves the ensign after completing the final deployment flying the F-14 Tomcats. For the past 30 years, the F-14 Tomcat has assured U.S. air superiority, playing a key role in ensuring victory and preserving peace around the world. The F-14 Tomcat will be removed from service and officially stricken from the inventory in September of 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Steven King (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

020502-N-4636H-001 At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Apr. 27, 2002--An F/A-14B Tomcat assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Fighter Squadron One One (VF-11) is launched off of the flight deck. Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are conducting combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Sherry Hubbard. (RELEASED)

020418-N-8704K-004 At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Apr. 18, 2002 -- An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Fighter Squadron One One (VF-11) is launched from one of four steam catapult systems on the ship’s flight deck. Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Airwing Seven (CVW-7) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Joshua Karsten. (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

030227-N-4953E-005 Mediterranean Sea (Feb. 27, 2003) -- An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF 32) stands ready for evening flight operations on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The Truman and Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW 3) are currently on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Danny Ewing Jr. (RELEASED)

030313-N-0382O-501 Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 13, 2003) -- An F-14B "Tomcat" assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF-32) breaks formation while on final approach for an arrested landing aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Justin S. Osborne. (RELEASED)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

021112-N-1810F-020 At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 12, 2002 -- An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Black Knights” of Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) ignites its afterburners as it is launched from one of four steam powered catapults on the ship’s flight deck. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)