USN Photo of Day: Forever-Fearsome F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet's Last Official Launch, Flyby, Landing

United States NavyNews- Eye On the Fleet ^ | July 28, 2006 | Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird, USN

[EnjoyingLife]

Photo #1: 060728-N-7241L-026 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 100, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) makes a near supersonic fly-by above the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37555 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-026.jpg

Photo #2: 060728-N-7241L-015 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - An F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 100, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) makes a near supersonic fly-by above the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37558 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-015.jpg

Photo #3: 060728-N-7241L-005 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, prepares for launch on the ship's number three catapult during the final launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37560 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-005.jpg

Photo #4: 060728-N-7241L-005 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) – Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, prepares for launch on the ship's number three catapult during the final launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-004.jpg

Photo #5: 060728-N-7241L-023 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat, aircraft number 101, piloted by Lieutenant Chris Rattigan and Lieutenant Paul Dort assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), complete the last scheduled arrested landing of an F-14 fighter aircraft. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED) . Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37556 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-023.jpg

Additional F-14 Tomcat Photos, 28 July 2006, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Atlantic Ocean:

1. http://www.navy.mil/list_all.asp?id=24913
2. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37554
3. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37553
4. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37552
5. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37556
6. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37557
7. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37559
8. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561
9. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37562
10. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37563
11. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37555
12. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37558
13. http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37560

[Renfield]

Any navy zoomies on this thread? What do you think of the Super Hornet?

[CTOCS]

The KC-135 is the USAF version of the Boeing 707. Can't swear to it, but I don't think they are older then the 52's.

I heard at one time the KC-135 replacement was going to be the Boeing 767. Anybody else heard anything like that?

[EnjoyingLife]

UPDATE: The caption for Photo #4 is incorrect (as is the text used in the photos's ALT tag). Here's the corrected version:

Photo #4: 060728-N-7241L-004 Atlantic Ocean (July 28, 2006) - Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), an F-14D Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), aircraft number 112, completes the final catapult launch of an F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The last launch marks the end of an era for Naval Aviation. The F-14 will officially retire in September 2006, after 32 years of service to the fleet. Theodore Roosevelt is completing Joint Task Force Exercises with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird (RELEASED). Caption Source: http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=37561 - Big Image Link: http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060728-N-7241L-004.jpg

[NCC-1701]

With a projection like that, it would be quite interesting to find out how much of the ORIGINAL metal would be in those BUFFS. BTW, it looks like the Tomcat in Pic. #3 is getting a royal sendoff. Looks like the three guys under the left wing had been practicing their "cleared to lauch" motions a lot for that launch. I hate to see the Tomcat consigned to museums like the SR-71 has been. They are still usefull tools of the trade.

[Thunderchief F-105]

...the first KC-135A was purchasedby the U.S. Air Force in 1954; I know the B-52 "BUFF" went through several models, the earlier ones (A, B, D...?) having been retired to the "boneyard." The current B-52s are G and H models, I think.....??? and so I doubt they are as old as the KC-135s that are currently flying (the last KC-135 ride I took was on an aircraft with a 1957 tail number....!). I am not sure; never worked on any bomber aircraft; all of my Air Force service was on fighters and the A-7D series... the Boeing 767 series might very well be under consideration for the Air Force's next-generation tanker....

[CTOCS]

You make a valid point. However, I was referring the introduction of the "airframe", not how many revs and updates it's gone through.

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[raygun]

Nice shots of transonic Prandtl-Glauert singularity phenomenon.

[jpsb]

Good-bye to a great American warrior, maybe events will give the old war horse one last gift.

[freedumb2003]

Very cool pic there.

So sad such a valiant and beautiful warrior is being retired

[USNBandit]

Good legs, decent payload, but really slow.

[OregonRancher]

The book "TOMCAT Bye-Bye-Baby...!" is a huge image and text coffee table box that is awesome. Two hundred thick,
glossy photos of the bird that have never been published before. Worth every penny and more. And the stories that go with the pics are priceless.... Just published.

[wjcsux]

I sure hate to see this wonderful bird retire. I spent a few years working upgrades to the F-14. I worked on the re-engine to the GE F-110 from the P&W TF-30. The weapons systems upgrade to the Hughes AN/APG-71 and the AIM-54C upgrade.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

what beast of a machine! Hard to think its outdated.

In capability it is not outdated. Although it was designed for a new engine which was cancelled by the Navy, most F-14s built were initially equipped with the obsolescent Pratt & Whitney TF-30 engine. That severely limited the airplane compared to its design capability, yet it was still far superior to any other Navy fighter and competitive in performance with the F-15 which had much more powerful engines.

Despite its many upgrades over the years, from the F-14A, to the F-14B, and finally the F-14D with its powerful GE F110 engines and more sophisticated weaponry and surveillance equipment, it appeared the Tomcat's days were fading fast.

That is silly. The F-14B (a more powerful P&W engine) was tested but never produced. In 1980 I was appalled to learn that the F110 engine would not be tested for years. The F-14A was built throughout the '70s and well into the 1980s; I wonder if any other aircraft model was built longer than the F-14A.

When the F101DFE was finally tested in the F-14 and redesignated the F110, it was a revelation. Not only far more capable than the TF-30, but far more operable since it was practically invulnerable to the stalling tendencies which were the bane of the F-14A pilot's existence. The adoption of the F110 engine was late in the F-14's production cycle; Dick Cheney cancelled the program fairly early in the GHW Bush Administration.

There were really only two versions of the plane, the A and the D. The basic aircraft was designed capable of air-ground mission, but the F-14 drivers actively opposed developing and testing that capability. Ultimately the F-14 became a good attack plane simply because it had good ordinance load capacity, and because with the advent of smart bombs it its no longer necessary to be able to release bombs with excellent precision to achieve excellent results.

If you would speak of a plane which actually has undergone "many upgrades over the years," look no further than the F-17. It was upgraded from the "lightweight fighter" competitor to the F-16 which was adopted by the USAF but rejected by the Navy. The Navy modified it into the F-18 carrying Sparrow missiles as well as sidewinders, and though various iterations into the F-18E/F which is bigger than, and almost 100% incompatible with, earlier F-18 models. Different engines, different wing, different fuselage. But it still is not the airframe that the F-14 was in terms of range, performance, and armament payload.

The reach of naval aviation is degraded by the retirement of the F-14.

[SkyPilot]

Thanks for the ping - these are great pictures.

[pepperdog]

Only H's left now, altho there may still be an earlier model left at Edwards that does the drops.

[phantomworker]

Love the F-14. The Blue Angels were in town, so I've been watching F/A-18's maneuver in the sky all last week. Amazing.

[JRios1968]

I have to admit, the Blue Angels are more impressive than the Thunderbirds, seeing how their maneuvers are done without G-suits.

[EnjoyingLife]

In post #18 hiramknight wrote: The most impressive demonstration of U.S. technology and American skill that I ever witnessed was at the hands of Navy Captain flying a flight demo in an F-14 at an airshow in 1987. The awesome power of the machine, coupled with precise skill of the pilot left the entire crowd at NAS JAX open mouthed and speechless. The finale was the aircraft flying into an open area between the two runways. He came in dirty with flaps, gear, and arrester down and wings extended. He then banked and began flying a low slow circle. After a couple of revolutions the gear came up, on the next pass the tailhook was up, the next pass flaps up, the next pass the wings began to sweep. Now this guy was completely perpendicular to the ground at about 100 feet agl spinning in cirle with full afterburners gaining speed with every pass. After about a half dozen revolutions, as he passed outbound from the crowd, he straightened up and yanked back on the stick, went completely verticle and was a gray speck against the blue sky in about 5 seconds time. He then just disappeared.

At the time I was attached to P3 squadron, and many in the crowd were active duty Navy as well and you could sense the pride in everyone around. Everyone was just looking around in total disbelief at what they just witnessed. It remains today the most impressive thing I have ever seen a machine do and that includes being witness to a few dozen Shuttle launches.

I got the chills while reading this story! Who was the pilot, was this stunning demonstration preserved on film or in photographs, and what would it take to get that F-14 crew connected to FreeRepublic.com?

Here's what I don't understand: America's enemies, the ones with military air power, watch the U.S. airshow performances, right? Our enemies can see that U.S. fighter/bomber pilots are highly trained and are almost fused with the aircraft they are handling to the point that the aircraft is extension of their own bodies, or I am assumming too much? And they know that the shock-and-awe skills, techniques, precision seen during the airshow apply to the battlefield also, don't they? Then why did the two Libyan pilots risk their lives in 1989 after they saw (a) what happened in 1981 when two F-14 Tomcats pilots destroyed two Libyan Sukhoi SU-22s that provoked the F-14 pilots to a fight (see post #1 for the account) and (b) that in 1985 terrorists had enough sense to realize that although the F-14 Tomcat is smaller than an 737 airliner this was one battle the terrorists weren't going to win (again see post #1 for more details)???

[hiramknight]

"I got the chills while reading this story! Who was the pilot, was this stunning demonstration preserved on film or in photographs, and what would it take to get that F-14 crew connected to FreeRepublic.com?"


I don't have photos or video. I don't recall the pilots name, I just remember that he was a full captain, which I found unusual that someone of that rank would be flying a flight demo. It was one of those moments that started out like "yea, yea, yea. Ive seen dozens of different flight demos, let's go get a beer", that turned into one of the most unforgetable moments in my life. It was almost mystical so to speak.