22 SEP--This Day in US Military History

2015-09-22T10:28:58-04:00

2006 – The U.S. military officially retires the F-14 Tomcat having been supplanted by the Boeing F/A-18E and F Super Hornets.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a fourth-generation, supersonic, twinjet, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy’s Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.
The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy’s primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform. In the 1990s, it added the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod system and began performing precision ground-attack missions. As of 2014, the F-14 was in service with only the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, having been exported to Iran in 1976, when the U.S. had amicable diplomatic relations with Iran.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/september-22/

September 22

22 September Feast Day of St. Maurice, Patron Saint of Infantry: Maurice was an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian Herculius' army, which was composed of Christians from Upper Egypt. ...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 22 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-09-22T10:38:56-04:00

1SG Private RallyPoint Member thanks for the post, F-14 Tomcat, what a fighter.

Response by CSM William Payne made Sep 22 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-09-22T11:00:17-04:00

Huge fighter, well over 50,000 pounds in operational weight. Not an easy aircraft to fly. Originally woefully under powered for its weight until the next generation of engines came out. Between Oceana and the Norfolk Naval Air Station I got to observe my share. Watching them fly by in wing swept configuration was a sight to see, obversely watching how slow they could go with wings fully deployed was mesmerizing. We had one go down in the marsh near Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA, during the seventies, right where Lynnhaven Mall stands today. Last year one of its replacements, the F-18 Super Hornet crashed into an apartment complex there. Luckily it was in the middle of the afternoon and with the exception of the pilot and REO, no one was injured. And they were out of the hospital after a couple of days. Ah, the sound of freedom.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 22 at 2015 11:01 AM

2015-09-22T11:01:07-04:00

Rest easy Tomcat. Big salute to all the aviators and support personnel who kept her flying for so many years. CAPT David Bryant

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 22 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-09-22T11:34:30-04:00

I miss those 'Cats! Sad to see 'em go!

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 22 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-09-22T11:37:26-04:00

MAde one man in the movies really rich. It was also one badass fighter. RIP!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 22 at 2015 4:50 PM

2015-09-22T16:50:07-04:00

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Man, what a bird that was. It's a crying shame what the did to the fleet after retirement.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 23 at 2015 12:08 AM

2015-09-23T00:08:12-04:00

Thanks for sharing... 1SG Private RallyPoint Member