February 8, 2006 marked the end of F-14 Tomcats role in combat with the US Navy. Aboard the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) an F-14 from VF-213 "Blacklions" made the last combat "trap" (landing on a carrier).
Piloted by Capt. William G. Sizemore II, USN, commander, Carrier Air Wing Eight, "Lion 204" was recovered at 12:35 a.m. "It’s the end of an era and it just kind of worked out that I was the last trap," commented Capt. Sizemore. "This is one of the best airplanes ever built, and it’s sad to see it go away. It’s just a beautiful airplane. It’s powerful, it has presence, and it just looks like the ultimate fighter."
Lt. Bill Frank, USN, of sister squadron VF-31 "Tomcatters" also took part in the last mission, and is credited with being the last Tomcat pilot to drop a bomb from an F-14. "We were called on to drop, and that’s what we did," said Lt. Frank. "It’s special and it’s something I can say I did, but what’s more important is the work of the Sailors who made it possible. They have worked so hard during this cruise to make every Tomcat operational."
"I don’t think there is anything better than a Tomcat, but it’s probably a good time for it to go away," said Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AW) Gene Casterlin, VF-31. "The Navy is getting smaller and more efficient, and it will only get harder to maintain the Tomcat. But no matter what, the Tomcat is the sexiest airplane in the sky."
During their final deployment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, VF-31 and 213 collectively completed 1,163 combat sorties totaling 6,876 flight hours, and dropped 9,500 pounds of ordnance during reconnaissance, surveillance, and close air support missions in support of OIF.
"As we near the end of the Tomcat’s last deployment, we are proud of our legacy and take solace in the fact that the Tomcat is going out at the top of its game, but also regret saying farewell to an old, revered and trusted friend," said CDR. Richard LaBranche, USN, VF-31 commanding officer.
"From its inception, the Tomcat has been the icon of Naval Aviation with its striking appearance, speed, formidable lethality and versatility," said CDR. LaBranche. "It is more capable today than at any other time during its existence because of the innovation, dedication, and tenacity of every maintainer and pilot who has ever been associated with it."
VF-213 will be making the transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet in April. VF-31 will remain last and only official Tomcat squadron in the Navy until September 2006. They, too, will transition to the Super Hornet a month later marking the Tomcat’s end of a thirty-six year association with the US Navy.
Final Tomcat combat flight....another great fighter retired.
Moderator: Vincent
Final Tomcat combat flight....another great fighter retired.
"We only have a short time to live, so it is essential to do things that are worthwhile and to do them now."Lord Baden-Powell
U.S Space Camp - 1982-1988
Aviation Challenge Staff /Program Manager - 1996-2004
Knight 3, Commander 77th TFS 1999-2004
U.S Space Camp - 1982-1988
Aviation Challenge Staff /Program Manager - 1996-2004
Knight 3, Commander 77th TFS 1999-2004
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Re: Final Tomcat combat flight....another great fighter reti
I'm still a fan of the CF-18, but it will be sad to see the F-14's leave the lineup.Spanky wrote:"But no matter what, the Tomcat is the sexiest airplane in the sky."
- Jennifer -
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
Youth ASA 6-Day 1998 1999
Adult ASA 8-Day 2004; Alumni 2007, CSC 2013, 2015, 2017
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Sad day for the Navy - probably the saddest since the full retirement of the A-4 Skyhawk.
We can only hope that the Hornets and future strike aircraft can try to continue this proud lineage.
"Fighter pilots makes movies, bomber pilots make history!"
We can only hope that the Hornets and future strike aircraft can try to continue this proud lineage.
"Fighter pilots makes movies, bomber pilots make history!"
"You made a fool out of young lieutenants. That's not against Army regulations."
CPT Nathan C. Brittles
US Cavalry
CPT Nathan C. Brittles
US Cavalry
"OLD TOMCATS NEVER DIE THEY JUST SIGN OFF. ONE LAST TIME BABY" Quote from my favorite F-14 t-shirt i own. Truly that is a sad day for F-14 fans everywhere she was truly a great fighter and one of the last of a dying breed. Planes built originally to be pure fighter aircraft instead of fighter attack. I have seen the new Super Horntes perform and they are replacing the Tomcats. The plane is incredible but she is no Tomcat.
Tomcat Squadrons and their callsigns
VF-1 WOLFPACK
CALLSIGN:WITCHITA
VF-2 BOUNTY HUNTERS
CALLSIGN: BULLETS
VF-11 RED RIPPERS
CALLSIGN: RIPPER
VF-14 TOPHATTERS
CALLSIGN: CAMELOT
VF-21 FRELANCERS
CALLSIGN: LANCE
VF-24 RENEGADES
CALLSIGN: RAGE
VF-31 TOMCATTERS
CALLSIGN: TOMCAT
VF-32 SWORDSMAN
CALSSIGN GYPSY
VF-33 STARFIGHTERS
CALLSIGN TARBOX
VF-41 BLACK ACES
CALLSIGN FAST EAGLE
VF-51 SCREAMING EAGLES
CALLSIGN EAGLES
VF-74 BE-DEVILERS
CALLSIGN DEVIL
VF-84 JOLLY ROGERS
CALLSIGN VICTORY
VF-101 GRIM REAPERS
CALLSIGN GUNFIGHTER
VF-102 DIAMONDBACKS
CALLSIGN DIAMOND
VF-103 SLUGGERS (JOLLY ROGERS)
CALLSIGN VICTORY
VF-111 SUNDOWNERS
CALLSIGN SUNDOWNER
VF-114 AARDVARKS
CALLSIGN AARDVARK
VF-124 GUNFIGHTERS
CALLSIGN GUNSLINGER
VF-142 GHOSTRIDERS
CALLSIGN DAKOTA
VF-143 PUKIN' DOGS
CALLSIGN DOG
VF-154 BLACK KNIGHTS
CALLSIGN BLACK KNIGHT
VF-191 SATAN'S KITTENS
CALLSIGN HELLCAT
VF-194 RED LIGHTNINGS
CALLSIGN RED FLASH
VF-201 HUNTERS
CALLSIGN HUNTER
VF-202 SUPERHEATS
CALLSIGN SUPERHEAT
VF-211 CHECKMATES
CALLSIGN NICKEL
VF-213 BLACKLIONS
CALLSIGN BLACKLION
VF-301 DEVIL'S DISCIPLES
CALLSIGN DEVIL
VF-302 STALLIONS
CALLSIGN STALLION
OTHER UNITS WHO USED THE F-14 IN ITS HISTORY
VF-1285 THE FIGHTING FUBIJARS
VF-1485 aMERICANS
VF-1486 FIGHTING HOBOS
VX-4 EVALUATORS
VX-9 VAMPIRES
NASA
NAVAL AIR TEST CENTER
NFWS & NSAWC NAVY FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL (TOP GUM)
VX-30
VX-31
NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER
CALLSIGN SALTY DOG
Tomcat Squadrons and their callsigns
VF-1 WOLFPACK
CALLSIGN:WITCHITA
VF-2 BOUNTY HUNTERS
CALLSIGN: BULLETS
VF-11 RED RIPPERS
CALLSIGN: RIPPER
VF-14 TOPHATTERS
CALLSIGN: CAMELOT
VF-21 FRELANCERS
CALLSIGN: LANCE
VF-24 RENEGADES
CALLSIGN: RAGE
VF-31 TOMCATTERS
CALLSIGN: TOMCAT
VF-32 SWORDSMAN
CALSSIGN GYPSY
VF-33 STARFIGHTERS
CALLSIGN TARBOX
VF-41 BLACK ACES
CALLSIGN FAST EAGLE
VF-51 SCREAMING EAGLES
CALLSIGN EAGLES
VF-74 BE-DEVILERS
CALLSIGN DEVIL
VF-84 JOLLY ROGERS
CALLSIGN VICTORY
VF-101 GRIM REAPERS
CALLSIGN GUNFIGHTER
VF-102 DIAMONDBACKS
CALLSIGN DIAMOND
VF-103 SLUGGERS (JOLLY ROGERS)
CALLSIGN VICTORY
VF-111 SUNDOWNERS
CALLSIGN SUNDOWNER
VF-114 AARDVARKS
CALLSIGN AARDVARK
VF-124 GUNFIGHTERS
CALLSIGN GUNSLINGER
VF-142 GHOSTRIDERS
CALLSIGN DAKOTA
VF-143 PUKIN' DOGS
CALLSIGN DOG
VF-154 BLACK KNIGHTS
CALLSIGN BLACK KNIGHT
VF-191 SATAN'S KITTENS
CALLSIGN HELLCAT
VF-194 RED LIGHTNINGS
CALLSIGN RED FLASH
VF-201 HUNTERS
CALLSIGN HUNTER
VF-202 SUPERHEATS
CALLSIGN SUPERHEAT
VF-211 CHECKMATES
CALLSIGN NICKEL
VF-213 BLACKLIONS
CALLSIGN BLACKLION
VF-301 DEVIL'S DISCIPLES
CALLSIGN DEVIL
VF-302 STALLIONS
CALLSIGN STALLION
OTHER UNITS WHO USED THE F-14 IN ITS HISTORY
VF-1285 THE FIGHTING FUBIJARS
VF-1485 aMERICANS
VF-1486 FIGHTING HOBOS
VX-4 EVALUATORS
VX-9 VAMPIRES
NASA
NAVAL AIR TEST CENTER
NFWS & NSAWC NAVY FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL (TOP GUM)
VX-30
VX-31
NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER
CALLSIGN SALTY DOG
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador