F-14 Tomcat

An F-14 “Tomcat” heads back to Key West Naval Air Station (NAS) after intense “dog fight” training over the Atlantic Ocean during exercise Cope Snapper 2002. Cope Snapper is a multi-aircraft exercise that engages dissimilar air combat training with on fighter data link and joint operations with the Navy. The members involved in Cope Snapper consist of the 159th Fighter Wing from Louisiana, the 169th AGS McEntire Air National Guard from South Carolina, and the Navy's F/A-18 “Hornet” and F-14 “Tomcat” fighter jets. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

F-14 Tomcat

An F-14A “Tomcat” from the “Black Knights” of Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154), part of Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), launches from the flight deck. Kitty Hawk's current mission is to provide a forward presence in the Asia/Pacific region, conduct training and exercises with regional allies, and, as America’s “9-1-1” Battle Group, remain available to respond to emergent national tasking when and where needed. Kitty Hawk is the U.S. Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Calvert T. Frantom)

F-14 Tomcat

Lt. West McCall, an F-14 “Tomcat” pilot from Deland, Fla., and Lt. Kimberly Arrington, a Radar Intercept Officer from King, N.C., both assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103), test fire a Phoenix air to air missile as part of the annual proficiency test during Exercise Mediterranean Shark. The Phoenix missile is the Navy's only long-range air-to-air missile. It is an airborne weapons control system with multiple-target handling capabilities. Exercise Mediterranean Shark is a bilateral training exercise conducted in Morocco by a U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit MEU/SOC (Special Operations Capable), to show the effectiveness of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). George Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are on a scheduled six month deployment and have participated in combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Capt. Dana Potts)

F-14 Tomcat

An F-14 "Tomcat" from the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) flies over the Mediterranean Sea at sunset. The George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is participating in the NATO exercise “Destined Glory 2002.” Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are approaching the end of scheduled deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Capt. Dana Potts)

F-14 Tomcat

An F-14 Tomcat jet fighter of the VF-102 "Diamondbacks" lands on the flight deck. On this sortie in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Commander of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), Captain S. Voetsch, goes over 4,000 flight hours serving as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO). The pilot for his milestone flight is the Commanding Officer of the VF-102 Diamondbacks, Commander Roy J. Kelley. The airwing is embarked on the aircraft carrier. (Photo: U.S. Navy /Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jason Scarborough)

F-14 Tomcat

At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sept. 2, 2002 -- An F-14 "Tomcat" from the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) launches from the waist catapult. Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U. S. Navy/Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Corey T. Lewis)

F-14 Tomcat

At sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Aug. 6, 2002 -- An F-14D "Tomcat" from Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) launches from catapult three during flight operations aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate Airman Philip A. McDaniel)

F-14 Tomcat

Aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) -- An F-14B “Tomcat” from the “Pukin’ Dogs” of Fighter Squadron One Four Three (VF-143) is launched from one of four steam-powered catapults aboard ship. Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire)

F-14 Tomcat

At sea with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) May 5, 2002 -- An F-14A "Tomcat" assigned to the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) performs a high speed pass over the ship’s flight deck. John C. Stennis and its embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) has recently completed combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme Pastoric)

F-14 Tomcat

At sea with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) May 5, 2002 -- An F-14A "Tomcat" assigned to the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) performs a high speed pass over the ship’s flight deck. John C. Stennis and its embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) has recently completed combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jayme Pastoric)

F-14 Tomcat

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Jan. 8, 2002 -- An F-14 “Tomcat” from the "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) maneuvers the flight deck while taxiing prior to positioning for launch. The Stennis is on a scheduled six-month deployment, and is conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Kevin H. Tierney)

F-14 Tomcat

Persian Gulf. An F-14B “Tomcat” assigned to Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VF-102) prepares to make an arrested landing on board the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are currently operating in the Persian Gulf to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq, by patrolling the “no-fly” zone under operation Southern Watch. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Lieutenant Bryan Fetter)

F-14 Tomcat

An F-14 Tomcat assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31) does a fly-by of Naval Air Station Oceana to complete the "Sunset Ceremony" for the aircraft. The ceremony commemorated those who designed, flew and maintained the F-14 Tomcat for 36 years. The F-14 Tomcat is being replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Julian R. Moorefield III)