Congress’ “Maverick Act” Could Bring a U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcat Back to Flight

A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate could soon send three historic Grumman F-14 Tomcats from government storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona to public display in Huntsville, Alabama. Senate Bill 4161, titled the Maverick Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer three surplus F-14 aircraft to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Commission, home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent on April 28, 2026, and now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

The bill specifically identifies three aircraft by Bureau Number (BuNo): F-14D Tomcats BuNos 164341 and 164602, along with F-14A BuNo 159437. All three aircraft are currently believed to be in storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) facility at Davis-Monthan AFB, commonly known as “the Boneyard.”

Among the aircraft listed, BuNo 159437 is particularly notable to naval aviation historians. Assigned the radio call sign Fast Eagle 107, the aircraft took part in the January 4, 1989 Gulf of Sidra incident, during which two Libyan MiG-23 Floggers were shot down by F-14s from VF-32 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). The aircraft later served with several fleet squadrons before retirement. The two F-14D models, BuNos 164341 and 164602, both served with VF-213 “Black Lions,” one of the final fleet squadrons to operate the Tomcat before the type’s retirement from U.S. Navy service in 2006.

The proposed transfer would occur through a conditional deed of gift and at no expense to the federal government. Under the legislation, the museum would assume responsibility for transportation, restoration, maintenance, and compliance with all FAA and Navy requirements. The bill also permits agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations to restore and operate the aircraft for public display, airshows, and commemorative events.

Although dozens of retired F-14s were scrapped following the type’s retirement — largely to prevent spare parts from reaching Iran, the only remaining operator of the Tomcat — a limited number survive in museums across the United States. The proposed transfer would add three more examples to public preservation efforts and further strengthen Huntsville’s growing aerospace collection. If approved by the House and signed into law, the transfer would mark one of the most significant movements of preserved Tomcats in recent years.