The End of an Era...F-14's return from final combat deployment

[MasterAndCommander]

'Tis a sad day in naval aviation - Text

'Top Gun' Jets Return From Final Combat Deployment
March 10, 2006, 01:24 PM

The U.S. Navy's last "Top Gun" planes returned to Oceana Naval Air Station today after a six month deployment.

The Cold War-era F-14 fighter jets ended their final combat deployment as the sleek flying machines flew over Virginia Beach in a giant wedge formation, then landed at Oceana Naval Air Station.

The 22 Tomcats of Fighter Squadrons VF-213 and VF-31 were welcomed home by hundreds of cheering family, friends and sailors. Some wore T-shirts reading "Tomcats Forever" and a banner proclaimed, "Last Fly-In, Baby!"

In the words of one pilot ... "We're putting the premier fighter to sleep. It's a staple of Americana." They had been aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is set to return tomorrow to Naval Station Norfolk.

(Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

 

[Kelvrick]

Whatever will Maverick, Iceman and the others do now.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

I think Val Kilmer did a skit once on SNL - they became commercial airline pilots.

 

[Rastus]

Actually the truth is far more interesting than the fiction. The real person whom Maverick was modelled after went to prison, and the actor who played him is certifiably looney tunes.

 

[flashbacck]

So is ebay going to be flooded with used F-14's now? That would be awesome.

 

[Svnla]

Top Gun was one of my favorite. I can't belive that F14s are 30 years plus old design.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Whatever will Maverick, Iceman and the others do now.

I think they're flying cargo planes full of rubber dogsh!t out of Hong Kong now.

 

[SVT Cobra]

🙁 The F-14 was an awesome jet. If only now I could go buy one.

Although I am glad to see the F-22 operational now.

 

[deftron]

That's around here


I think they're closing that base down
and like half the people in Virginia Beach work there

 

[FelixDeCat]

Time for the third world to upgrade with our 30 year old fleet! 🙂

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Whatever will Maverick, Iceman and the others do now.

They will click their teeth together defiantly.

 

[Sukhoi]

A damn good plane. 🙁

 

[Babbles]

I was under the impression that there is still no other airframe in the arsenal that can perform all of the roles of the F-14; hope their retirement doesn't come back and bite US forces in the ass.

 

[slatr]

Why did the pilot Maverick was modeled after go to prison?

 

[Taggart]

Originally posted by: slatr
Why did the pilot Maverick was modeled after go to prison?

He is a corrupt Congressman. He took bribes, the old standby.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: jtvang125

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Whatever will Maverick, Iceman and the others do now.

I think they're flying cargo planes full of rubber dogsh!t out of Hong Kong now.

:laugh::thumbsup:

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: slatr
Why did the pilot Maverick was modeled after go to prison?

His ego wrote checks his body couldn't cash.