Aboard USS George Washington (February 2, 1998) -- A pilot from Fighter Squadron One Zero Two gives his F-14B “Tomcat” a pre flight inspection on the flight deck. VF-102 and USS George Washington (CVN 73) are currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf during a six month deployment. Official U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Joseph Hendricks. (RELEASED)
Aboard USS George Washington (February 2, 1998) — A pilot from Fighter Squadron One Zero Two gives his F-14B “Tomcat” a pre flight inspection on the flight deck. VF-102 and USS George Washington (CVN 73) are currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf during a six month deployment. Official U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Joseph Hendricks. (RELEASED)
Tomcat Tuesday!
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is easily the most iconic and well loved jet that the US Navy has ever fielded, and her absence in the skies is keenly felt by so many of us who grew up with this magnificent aircraft. So we thought none of you would mind a gratuitous post featuring some fabulous official images of the mighty swing-wing beast and her crews in action. Depending upon the response we get, we hope to do more of these photo-essays in the future, so let us know! In the meantime, please enjoy!
Oh, and we’d love to hear from anyone who flew or worked on Tomcat’s too… so please feel free to post in the comments section!
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) underway in the Central Command Area of Operation (AOR) Jul. 16, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Fighter Squadron One Four Three (VF-143) makes its approach during a carrier arrested landing aboard ship. John F. Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy Photograph by Photographer’s Mate 1st Jim Hampshire. (RELEASED)
At sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Aug. 14, 2002 — The Landing Signals Officer prepares to give the signal to launch An F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Fighter Squadron One One (VF 11). Launching from the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy, the Tomcat is returning to NAS Oceana prior to the homecoming of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW 7) August 14, 2002. The Kennedy and CVW 7 are returning home after a six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Joshua Karsten. (RELEASED)
At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep. 8, 2002 — Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Keys from Orlando, Fla., watches an F-14 “Tomcat,” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) gain altitude after launch. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va., and is on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jessica Davis. (RELEASED)
At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep.12, 2000 — A Sailor inspects the “arresting hook” for an F-14B “Tomcat” attached to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103). Washington is operating in the Mediterranean Sea on a routine six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Jason Dooley. (RELEASED)
Aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (Jan. 26, 2001) — An F-14D “Tomcat” from the “Tomcatters” of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) flies over the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) platform aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) after returning from a successful proficiency flight. The Lincoln is on her final leg of a scheduled six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Wolsey. (RELEASED)
At sea aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Jan. 17, 2002 – Squadron and ships company personnel conduct maintenance and equipment checks on the flight deck, while and F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Diamondbacks” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VF-102) launches from one of two steam catapults located on the ships bow. Theodore Roosevelt and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Stacey Hines (RELEASED)
At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 26, 2002 — Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Capt. Dana Potts (right) flies in an F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) while Capt. Rodger Welch pilots an F/A-18 “Hornet” assigned to the “Rampagers” of Fighter Attack Squadron Eight Three (VFA-83). Capt. Potts is scheduled to relieve Capt. Welch as Commander Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17). George Washington is based in Norfolk, VA, and is conducting integrated training exercises in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. (RELEASED)
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)
ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (February 21, 1998) –Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jacques Devries, from Houston, Texas, loads an AIM-7 “Sparrow” medium range air-to-air missile onto an F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VF-102). George Washington and its embarked Carrier Air Wing one (CVW1) are currently conducting operations in the Persian Gulf to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Sammy Dallal (Released) Digital Film Scan
Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2002) — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Vampires” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) signals to a maintainer prior to take off during exercise Cope Snapper 2002. Cope Snapper is a multi-aircraft exercise that engages dissimilar air combat training with on fighter data link and joint operations with the Navy and Air Force. The members involved in Cope Snapper consist of the 159th Fighter Wing from Louisiana, the 169th AGS McEntire Air National Guard from South Carolina, and the Navy’s F/A-18 “Hornet” and F-14 “Tomcat” fighter jets. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo. (RELEASED)
WarbirdsNews would like to thank all the brave men and women who serve and sacrifice for a more peaceful world. We would also like to the photographers who took these magnificent images (all credited in the captions)!
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
Many thanks! You treat her with respect in your write up and I as a Navy vet appreciate that. I run a page dedicated to the F-14. I will be sharing this link to my page.
Many thanks indeed! We LOVE the Tomcat, and are pleased to have given you something worth sharing. Make sure you share your page with us too when you get the chance. Cheers! Richard
Love this idea! Hope you keep doing Tomcat Tuesday. I was a F-14 maintainer and maintenance instructor for 15 years out of NAS Oceana
Thanks so much Ed!… If you have any stories to share, we’d love to hear them!
I love this post! During my service days, I didn’t work on Tomcats, but I worked around them. I have a great shot I can share. How do I get it to you?
Myles, you can send us an email at info AT warbirdsnews.dev
Many thanks! You treat her with respect in your write up and I as a Navy vet appreciate that. I run a page dedicated to the F-14. I will be sharing this link to my page.
Many thanks indeed! We LOVE the Tomcat, and are pleased to have given you something worth sharing. Make sure you share your page with us too when you get the chance. Cheers! Richard
URL to my page.
https://www.facebook.com/FelixNutsTomcat/
Always loved the F-14, a beautiful aircraft. Give me more, please! Thanks.