Tomcat Tuesday! – Episode 4

Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor) Published August 8, 2017

At sea with USS George Washington (CVN 73) Oct. 14, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" from the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies over the Mediterranean Sea at sunset. The George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is participating in the NATO exercise “Destined Glory 2002.” Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are approaching the end of scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep. 26, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF 103) conducts a high-speed "fly-by" above the ship. VF 103 is part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), embarked onboard George Washington on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class David Valdez. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sep. 26, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF 103) conducts a high-speed “fly-by” above the ship. VF 103 is part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), embarked onboard George Washington on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class David Valdez. (RELEASED)

Tomcat Tuesday! – Episode 4

Here is another selection of terrific official photographs of our much-missed naval fighter strutting her stuff… alongside the amazing men and women who flew and maintained ‘the last of the Cats.’ We thought you’d particularly enjoy the opening photograph of the Tomcat punching through her self-induced vapor cloud.

Thanks to all of you who’ve been writing in, please keep doing so!

At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Nov. 12, 2002 -- Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Joshua Adkins from Trenton, Ohio, supervises the loading of the M61-A1 20 mm. gatling gun on an F-14D “Tomcat” assigned to Fighter Squadron Thirty One (VF-31). The M61-A1 Gatling gun is the main defensive weapon for U.S. Navy aircraft. Abraham Lincoln, VF-31, and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Philip A. McDaniel. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Nov. 12, 2002 — Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Joshua Adkins from Trenton, Ohio, supervises the loading of the M61-A1 20 mm. gatling gun on an F-14D “Tomcat” assigned to Fighter Squadron Thirty One (VF-31). The M61-A1 Gatling gun is the main defensive weapon for U.S. Navy aircraft. Abraham Lincoln, VF-31, and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Philip A. McDaniel. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 9, 2002 -- An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Black Knights” of Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) ignites its afterburners during a launch from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Nov. 9, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Black Knights” of Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) ignites its afterburners during a launch from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Nov. 1, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies in formation during “Joint Wings 2002” with two Croatian Air Force MiG 21 “Fishback” fighter aircraft over Croatia. “Joint Wings” is a multinational exercise between the U.S. and the Croat Air Force designed to practice intelligence gathering. The Jolly Rogers, part of the ship's embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), sent a detachment to the Pula Air Base in Croatia to support the exercise. The Washington is on a scheduled deployment. U. S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Nov. 1, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies in formation during “Joint Wings 2002” with two Croatian Air Force MiG 21 “Fishback” fighter aircraft over Croatia. “Joint Wings” is a multinational exercise between the U.S. and the Croat Air Force designed to practice intelligence gathering. The Jolly Rogers, part of the ship’s embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), sent a detachment to the Pula Air Base in Croatia to support the exercise. The Washington is on a scheduled deployment. U. S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED)

At sea with USS George Washington (CVN 73) Oct. 14, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" from the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies over the Mediterranean Sea at sunset. The George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is participating in the NATO exercise “Destined Glory 2002.” Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are approaching the end of scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED) — At sea with USS George Washington (CVN 73) Oct. 14, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” from the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies over the Mediterranean Sea at sunset. The George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is participating in the NATO exercise “Destined Glory 2002.” Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are approaching the end of scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sep. 30, 2002 -- Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Thuan Nguyen from New York, N.Y., installs the engine on an F-14D “Tomcat.” The “Tomcat” is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter. The F-14D is a major upgrade with F-110 engines, new APG-71 radar system, Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Infrared Search and Track (IRST). Additionally, all F-14 variants were given precision strike capability using the LANTIRN targeting system, night vision compatibility, new defensive countermeasures systems and a new digital flight control system. Abraham Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler Clements. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sep. 30, 2002 — Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Thuan Nguyen from New York, N.Y., installs the engine on an F-14D “Tomcat.” The “Tomcat” is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter. The F-14D is a major upgrade with F-110 engines, new APG-71 radar system, Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and Infrared Search and Track (IRST). Additionally, all F-14 variants were given precision strike capability using the LANTIRN targeting system, night vision compatibility, new defensive countermeasures systems and a new digital flight control system. Abraham Lincoln and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Tyler Clements. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sept. 2, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" from the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) launches from the waist catapult. Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Corey T. Lewis. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sept. 2, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” from the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) launches from the waist catapult. Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Corey T. Lewis. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 20, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) approaches the ship’s flight deck for an arrested landing under the eyes of the flight deck crew. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va. and is on a six-month deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Lindsay Switzer. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 20, 2002 — An F-14 “Tomcat” assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) approaches the ship’s flight deck for an arrested landing under the eyes of the flight deck crew. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va. and is on a six-month deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Lindsay Switzer. (RELEASED)

Virginia Beach, Virginia (Aug. 14, 2002) -- Fighter aircraft assigned to the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Fighter Squadron One Four Three (VF-143) fly over Naval Air Station Oceana. The fly-by was part of the squadron's homecoming celebration as they return from a six-month deployment aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) where they conducted combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd class Charles Hill. (RELEASED) — Virginia Beach, Virginia (Aug. 14, 2002) — Fighter aircraft assigned to the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Fighter Squadron One Four Three (VF-143) fly over Naval Air Station Oceana. The fly-by was part of the squadron’s homecoming celebration as they return from a six-month deployment aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) where they conducted combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd class Charles Hill. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Mar. 27, 2002 - An F-14A "Tomcat" from the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) launches off the flight deck. Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and John C. Stennis are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme T. Pastoric. (RELEASED) — At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Mar. 27, 2002 – An F-14A “Tomcat” from the “Checkmates” of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) launches off the flight deck. Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) and John C. Stennis are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jayme T. Pastoric. (RELEASED)

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Jan. 12, 2002 - An F-14 "Tomcat" from the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) ignites its afterburner seconds before a launch from the number three catapult. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) continue to conduct bombing missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class (AW) Jayme Pastoric (REALEASED) — At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Jan. 12, 2002 – An F-14 “Tomcat” from the “Checkmates” of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) ignites its afterburner seconds before a launch from the number three catapult. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) continue to conduct bombing missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class (AW) Jayme Pastoric (REALEASED)

And that’s all for this edition. We hope you’ve enjoyed it! Don’t forget to tune in to WarbirdsNews next Tuesday morning for the next episode of Tomcat Tuesday!

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Short SC.7 Skyvan

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.