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| Science & Technology |
| "Final Flight" for the F-14 today |
| 2006-09-22 |
| WVEC-TV, Hampton Roads The F-14 Tomcat was forever immortalized in American pop culture in the 1986 movie "Top Gun." The movie featured unforgettable characters with names like "Maverick," "Viper," and "Iceman," and lines of dialogue like, "I feel the need for speed." In short, it was cool. In real life, the venerable jet served the Navy and the nation well for 36 years, from Vietnam through Desert Storm, Libya, Kosovo, Afghanistan and now, Iraq. . . . The Tomcat is receiving a fitting tribute near Oceana's front gate, at the base's Naval Aviation Historical Park. There, the legendary fighter will be on display, front and center, alongside other Navy legends like the F-4 Phantom, the A-6 Intruder, and the A-1 Skyraider or Spad. Retired F-14 aviators Bruce "Dog" Doyle and Alex "Rattler" Rucker have devoted tender loving care to build a stone monument in front of the jet. . . . And then, there are the various ceremonies this week, and the big send-off. As the committee's slogan says: "Last Time, Baby." The monument and Walk of Heroes will be dedicated Thursday at 4pm. Then, the Tomcat Sunset weekend highlight will take place Friday at 10 am, with the Final Flight Ceremony at hangar 500. It will end, appropriately enough, with the final F-14 flying off into the distance. The Navy says the aircraft will likely be bound for the Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where it and other retiring Tomcats will be stored in the "boneyard," or, as it is officially designated, "war reserve." The bottom line is this: How do you say goodbye to a legend? With much love and care. And that's just what event organizers this week hope they're doing. Ensuring the F-14, although gone, won't be forgotten. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #4 THe underpowered 14A's are not going to be missed. Lots of dead pilots and their families have a sore spot for that plane. |
| Posted by: remoteman 2006-09-22 17:17 |
| #3 F-18E |
| Posted by: ed 2006-09-22 13:25 |
| #2 What are they replacing the F-14 with? Not the JSF? |
| Posted by: Jesing Ebbease3087 2006-09-22 13:08 |
| #1 Any chance the Persians have a flyable left? |
| Posted by: 6 2006-09-22 12:02 |