A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-20-06....End Of An Era -- Retiring Of The F-14

GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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Hundreds of former Grumman employees and aviation buffs paid their last respects, June 15, 2006, to a soon-to-retire jet F-14.

During the 1970s, '80s and '90s, Grumman produced 712 F-14s. In its heydey, the F-14 was known for its advanced radar system and its speed. The jet could track 24 targets and hit six of them with its lethal Phoenix missiles. Its speed, up to 1,544 miles per hour, made it the fastest machine in the sky.

Type Fighter
Manufacturer Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Maiden flight 1970-12-21
Introduced September 1974
Retired 2006, USN
Status active service, Iran
Primary users United States Navy, Iran
Number built 675
Unit cost US$38 million in 1998

Pictured above, Sailors prepare an F-14 Tomcat for flight on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003).

Above Pictured, An F-14 launches an AIM-7 Sparrow

The Tomcat played a prominent role in Top Gun, the 1986 film about naval aviators that fly the F-14. The success of that film helped the Tomcat become the most famous fighter jet of the time, and spurred a game franchise and a surge in U.S. Navy recruiting.
Kenny Loggins ~ DangerZone

Above, Logo for VF-31, F-14D Super Tomcat squadron, also known as Felix the Cat Squadron

The Tomcatters’ command master chief, Master Chief Petty Officer Tom Gall, called being part of a Tomcat squadron an honor. Even after 25 years in the Navy, he said, the plane’s aesthetics still leave him awestruck.

“The Tomcat just looks sharp,” Gall said. “It’s mesmerizing to watch it fly. Especially as it sweeps its wings back and goes in for the kill. I’m quite certain that many people will miss it when it is gone.”

Certainly, this airplane is impressive, no matter what your preference as favorite! Its changeable shape, transforming before your eyes as it zooms by in fully wing swept delta, pulling into a fully extended wing high G load turn, is one of aviation's more unforgettable sights. Cmdr. Aaron Cudnohufsky, squadron commanding officer, said the Tomcat rightfully has become an American legend — and not just because of the film.
Official Tomcat Retirement Date is September 22, 2006

(information found: internet, Stars and Stripes, Newsday, All Avation Online, Wikipedia)

03-28-06 ~ Hall of Fame #15

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-19-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[GodBlessUSA]

[GodBlessUSA]

[MJY1288]

I saw 4 F-14's fly over Kensington, Maryland today and I thought about how they will be missed. Definitely an "End of an Era"

[GodBlessUSA]

That must have been awesome to see them! I wanted to get to the event last week and was not able to. I would be thrilled to see them in flight.

[wolfpat]

A couple of years ago, an F-14 flew over my house at treetop level with full afterburners. I live in the center of North Carolina. I think they were playing games with the Air Force guys at Pope AFB.

It's a glorious thing to behold.

[dk/coro]

What a magnificent aircraft. On my final tour, 1970, I had the honor and privilege of introducing the F-14 to PacFlt as the Fleet Readiness Officer (the 35 Billet -- Ops/Readiness) at CincPacFlt, Pearl Harbor. A simply marvelous addition to the inventory at the time.Seems just yesterday.

[MJY1288]

It was, it was very hazy today, so the view wasn't what I would have liked it to be, but there is no mistaking an F-14, nothing else looks the same.

Isn't it a fact that no F-14 has ever been shot down in combat, or is that the F-15?

[La Enchiladita]

Beautiful work on this thread, Gracie. Two years ago, at the Armed Forces Day parade in Torrance, south of LAX, there was an F-14 flyover at the beginning of the parade. Most memorable!

[MJY1288]

God Bless You for your service to our Nation. We are privileged to have people like you defending all of us. The F-14 is without a doubt a superior aircraft, but without people like you, it's just another piece of hardware.

Thanks for your service

Mike

[GodBlessUSA]

That must have been incredible!

[GodBlessUSA]

I'm not sure MJY, I'll see if I can find that information.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Dita! :)
Thanks. I blew it last week, by not getting out there and seeing the F-14. I hope, at some point before September, there is another opportunity.

[La Enchiladita]

We should all look for those opportunities this summer, as there should be many ... starting with July 4!!

[SC Swamp Fox]

Ping.

[GodBlessUSA]

Time sure does fly -- as fast as the F-14 :)
God Bless You dk/coro

[The Mayor]

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL!!! :)
Good Evening The Mayor
I had a tough time trying to find animated aircraft. I should have thought to ask you. :)

[llevrok]

I was at an air show Sunday. An old MIG15 did some fly bys.

I can only imagine the sound a F14 would make if I were dug into a fox hole. Hopefully a friendly sound!!

[luvie]

Great thread, GB! You did GOOD!!! Awesome plane, and it will be missed! (((hugs)))

[Madison Moose]

"Isn't it a fact that no F-14 has ever been shot down in combat, or is that the F-15?"

I don't know about it's US service, but I do remember reading that there have been F-14's shot down in the service of Iran during Iran-Iraq war.