F-14 Tomcat

A Tomcat fies over a burning Iraqi oil complex during Desert Storm.

The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-seat fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night or day, and in all weather conditions. Carrier based, the Tomcat has variable geometry wings, for easy storage and increased speed or maneuverability. Until its retirement in 2006, it was the primary air-superiority fighter for the U.S. Navy. It was the only airplane that could operate the long-range AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missile. In addition, it could carry Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, and carried an internal Vulcan 20mm cannon.

The F-14 began replacing the F-4 Phantom II in U.S. naval service in September of 1974. It first saw combat over the Gulf of Sidra, off the coast of Libya, in August of 1981. 2 Tomcats shot down 2 Libyan Su-22 Fitters after one of the Fitters had fired a missile at them. In January of 1989, F-14s again saw action against Libyan planes, this time 2 F-14s shot down 2 Mig-23 Floggers over the Gulf of Sidra.

The Tomcat has been replaced by newer planes in the United States airforce. In order to prevent spare parts reaching terrorists (Iran uses those planes based on purchases they made under the Shah), the United States government is having the planes destroyed.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat