F-14 Tomcast

All good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s U.S. Navy service. The end came in 2006, when the final Navy F-14 squadron -- VF-31 Tomcatters – shut down their F-14Ds for the last time. There’s a lot more to the story than the Tomcat Sunset ceremony at NAS Oceana and a final flight, such as the final deployment and behind-the-scenes activities that will surprise you.Our guest is uniquely qualified for this topic, as he was the last commanding officer of VF-31: James “Puck” Howe. (Yes, the squadron continued, but it became VFA-31.)His accounts of the squadron’s performance and the aircraft’s final months will make you proud to be a Tomcat fan!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Coalition combat returned to Iraq in 2003 with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Among U.S. Navy forces were the Bounty Hunters of VF-2, which brought F-14D Tomcats to the fight. This episode goes into detail on the big fighter’s performance in a challenging threat environment.Our guests are former Tomcat pilot “Grumpy” Kimberly and RIO “Boog” Denneny, who flew demanding missions in OIF and share riveting tales of their experiences. Their opening comments also provide excellent background of the F-14 community in the 1990s and early 2000s.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In response to the 9/11 attacks, American and coalition forces commenced combat operations in Afghanistan (and other locations), with conventional operations commencing 7 October 2001. It was an incredible period in recent history, and our guest was a key participant.We talk to former F-14 RIO Mike Peterson, callsign “Tung,” about what it was like being on deployment when 9/11 happened…and flying in the first strike to begin the military response. A member of VF-213 flying from the USS Carl Vinson, Tung describes aerial refueling challenges that almost turned his first mission into a disaster (but was saved by a daring USAF tanker crew); enthusiasm among the ship’s crew to avenge the attacks; and dealing with the MANPAD threat. He relates a heart-stopping mission to support friendlies in a desperate situation and shows us his “Afghanistan ordnance Christmas tree.”Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The AIM-54 Phoenix missile was a major part of the F-14 program: it affected the Tomcat’s design and was the weapon that gave the Tomcat its unique and most impressive capabilities. During the Tomcat’s three-plus decades of service with the US Navy, however, American crews had only three combat Phoenix launches, and none of them were successful. Our guest was one of those shooters.We interview “Jumby” Castleton, the lead RIO in a section of F-14Ds that attacked Iraqi aircraft in January 1999 during Operation Southern Watch. While the Phoenix didn’t score a kill, the tactics used by the Tomcat crews, and the Hornet crews with them, make a great story!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands