While participating in Operation Northern Wedding in 1978 I was the forward lookout on FF-1082 - USS Elmer Montgomery. I saw a dot on the horizon and before I could say, "Bridge. Forward lookout." A West German F-104 was on top of us and proceeded to climb immediately over our ship and hit the afterburner launching him straight up at what must have been well over Mach. Meanwhile, I was hurtled to the deck by the force of his afterburner kick in at the same time getting an earful from the OOD about 'paying closer attention'.
"Ummmm. Yes. Sir."
That was the fastest plane I ever saw.
Semper Fi,
TS