The F-14 Tomcast is a biweekly internet radio show dedicated to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the amazing men and women who flew, fixed, fought, and loved her. Hosted by a former F-14 pilot and RIO duo who combined have well over 30 years, 5,000 hours, and 1,000 carrier landings in the Tomcat, episodes feature experienced guests who explain the F-14's service life from early development to the beloved fighter's retirement. Season one of the F-14 Tomcast ran from September 2021 through August 2022. There are no current plans for subsequent seasons.
https://redcircle.com/shows/f-14_tomcast
episode 25: F-14 Sunset
All good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s US 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!
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