The Iranian F-14s used the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles as primary armament; Iran is reportedly developing a domestic copy of the Sparrow. F-14 Tomcat is an American supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. [citation needed] VF-11 and VF-143, alongside CVW-7, dropped 64,000 pounds (29,000 kg) of ordnance, both the "Red Rippers" and the "Pukin' Dogs" making history as they dropped JDAM bombs from the F-14 for the first time during combat. Six days later, Major Mohammad-Rez Attaie shot down an Iraqi MiG-21 with an AIM-54 Phoenix while flying border patrol. In addition to performing strike missions, F-14s from both squadrons conducted escort combat air patrols for U.S Air Force B-1B bombers that were committed to the operation beginning on 17 December. Operating from the USS Nimitz, it managed to notch up several air to air victories against the Russian aircraft operated by the Libyan Air Force. Advancements during the Cold War in Soviet long-range patrol and bomber aircraft dictated a requirement for a fleet defense fighter that could engage high-altitude bombers from well beyond visual range. [N 2], Operations during the Lebanese Civil War (1976 and 1982-1986), Attempted rescue of American hostages in Iran (1980), Military operations directed at Libya (1980-1989), Somali anti-aircraft fire incident (1983), Intervention in the "Tanker War" (1987-1988), Interwar air operations over Iraq (1991-2003), The authors write: "Zandi survived... numerous air battles with Iraqi Air Force, to claim a total of nine confirmed (through examination of US intelligence documents released according to FOIA inquiry) and two or three probable kills. [19] The F-14s were not hit and were able to complete the mission. [15] These were the first aerial combat victories in U.S. Navy F-14s and the first for the U.S. since the Vietnam War. [21][22], On 10 October 1985, F-14As were launched from the Saratoga to perform the intercept. IRIAF F-14s often escorted tankers supporting strike packages heading into Iraq, scanning over the border with their radars and intercepting inbound Iraqi aircraft. [63], One IRIAF pilot distinguished himself in combat by becoming the all-time top scoring F-14 ace. An air-to-air right side view of two Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124) F-14 Tomcat aircraft. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. [42] The E-3 could not directly contact the F-14s in a timely manner since they were under the control of the USS Worden (CG-18), which was not able to get a clear radar picture to accurately vector the F-14s. [31], Tomcats performed combat air patrols in protection of U.S. carrier battle groups and coalition forces deploying to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. The F-14 Tomcat was primarily designed to defend the U.S. Navy’s fleets from airborne threats, using its AWG-9 radar and the long-range AIM-54 … During the war, VF-213 logged over 500 combat sorties, 2,600 combat hours and dropped 435,000 pounds (197,000 kg) of ordnance (452 bombs) during their 10 weeks over Afghanistan;[56] the "Black Lions" also had the distinct honor of dropping the first bombs of Operation Enduring Freedom. In-depth knowledge of its service with Iran is relatively limited. The Tomcat faced an early retirement due to budget cuts following the end of both the Persian Gulf and Cold Wars in 1991. F-14s performed combat air patrol, fighter escort, aerial reconnaissance and air interdiction missions in support of these operations until the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. [24], From July 1987 to September 1988, F-14s performed combat air patrols and escort missions in support of Operation Earnest Will during the "Tanker War". On 9 September 1999, a VF-2 F-14 engaged an Iraqi MiG-23 with an AIM-54 Phoenix missile. Iran has claimed that they have been able to produce all of the parts required, though US intelligence indicates that total is about 70 percent. Military transport aircraft. [citation needed], United States AWACS aircraft observed the downing of an Iraqi Tupolev Tu-22 "Blinder" bomber, and the downing of at least one F-14. [13] The Tomcats were on a prearranged mission at the request of the Somali government but were mistaken for attacking Ethiopian MiG-23s. The Libyans were outmaneuvered by the Tomcats who got behind the MiG-25s but did not receive permission to open fire. 2 Sidewinder + 2 Phoenix + 2 Sparrow AAMs 2. F-14 Tomcats provided fighter cover during the operation. Entering service with 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1958, the F-104A first became operational as part of the USAF Air Defense Command as an interceptor. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. F-14 Tomcat Operational History - Iranian Service. The book makes many claims that contradict previous reports. [citation needed] VF-103 arrived in Afghanistan in June 2002 when combat was scarce, and the "Jolly Rogers" didn’t get the opportunity to drop any bombs during the operation. I have just modified one external link on F-14 Tomcat operational history. The F-14 Tomcat was initially designed in the late 1960s as a result of the cancellation of the F-111B program. The F-14 saw its good share of action after being introduced in September 1974, with the first missions being implemented in the last days of the Vietnam War, providing top cover for the evacuation air route through combat air patrols. However, the Tomcat’s demise has left gaps in … The F-14 has served in Iran's Air Force from 1978 to the present day. [14] The Libyans disengaged once confronted by the U.S. fighters. One air-to-air kill was credited to the F-14 during the war. It operated aboard U.S. aircraft carriers from 1974 to 2006 and remains in service with Iran. Also unresolved is the extent of usage of the AIM-54 Phoenix missile. Please take a moment to review my edit. On 21 January 1991, an F-14B with its pilot, Lieutenant Devon Jones, and Radar Intercept Officer, Lieutenant Lawrence Slade, of VF-103 was shot down by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile while on an escort mission over Al Asad Air Base. However, the retirement of the Grumman A-6 Intruder was impetus for the U.S. Navy to continue to use the F-14 by upgrading it with a precision strike capability. VF-41 alone logged 600 combat hours and 530 sorties during this cruise. The Syrian Air Force avoided direct confrontation with U.S. forces,[7] although there was at least one instance where F-14s engaged, but did not open fire on, Syrian aircraft. F-14s were involved in multiple U.S. military operations directed at Libya between 1980 and 1989. During the same time period, annual NATO exercise in the North Sea area elicited daily flights of Bear D aircraft operating in pairs to locate the aircraft carrier(s) in the area. The F-14 Tomcat was the United States Navy’s premier air superiority fighter beginning in the mid-1970s and served ongoing roles into the 21st century. [63], There is limited information available about the service of F-14s in the Iran–Iraq War. Eventually, several jailed F-14 pilots were released when war broke out with Iraq. However, the IRIAF officials and pilots insist that the Soviets were never allowed near the F-14s, and never received any F-14 or AIM-54 technology. The F-14 Tomcat was designed to defend the U.S. Navy’s fleets from practically every airborne threat. The F-14 began replacing the F-4 Phantom II in U.S. Navy service starting in September 1974 with squadrons VF-1 "Wolfpack" and VF-2 "Bounty Hunters" aboard USS Enterprise and participated in the American withdrawal from Saigon. We found both Tomcat LANTIRN pods were operationally degraded. [5][6][7] Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) missions were used to identify artillery batteries firing on the peacekeeping force and provided target intelligence for naval gunfire support offshore.[3][8]. (Cheney and the -18 mafia.) F-14s of VF-14 dropped 350 laser-guided 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs, in addition to other air-to-ground ordnance. The F-14 was relegated to protecting Iran's vital oil refining and export infrastructure, where they often encountered French-built Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1EQ fighters attempting to attack Iranian oil pipelines. F-14 Combat Records "Bad News for the Bad Guys: The F-14 is still in the game!" [citation needed], GlobalSecurity indicates that Iran flew the F-14 in an AWACS-type role. A few need to be specifically called out: // ⌘macwhiz (talk) 15:27, 11 November 2010 (UTC). Please take a moment to review my edit. This message is updated dynamically through the template {{sourcecheck}} (last update: 15 July 2018). These include four MiG-23s, two Su-22s, two MiG-21 and three Mirage F1s. VF-14 and VF-41 took part in Operation Allied Force, NATO's aerial campaign against Serbian operations in Kosovo, between 9 April 1999 and 9 June 1999. F-14 Tomcat: History Specifications Bureau Numbers Walk-Around Squadrons Photos Books Memorabilia Other Topics: Grumman A/C EXTRA 400 A/C Photos Links Guestbook Credits The Author . F-14, also called Tomcat, two-seat, twin-engine jet fighter built for the U.S. Navy by the Grumman Corporation (now part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation) from 1970 to 1992. [28][30] Some official statements suggested the F-14s fired warning shots or that the radar contacts were not real. Several flights of Libyan fighters were intercepted with neither side opening fire.[16]. Please take a moment to review my edit . ", "Air Force (Iranian Imperial Air Force). [52], Two F-14Ds from VF-213 engaged several Iraqi aircraft challenging the no-fly zone on 5 January 1999. Soviet strategic bombers and maritime reconnaissance aircraft regularly patrolled near U.S. carriers during the Cold War and were often escorted away by F-14s. [27][28] The F-14 flight leader ordered an egress from the area after seeing one of the missiles explode but before any of the American aircrew could confirm whether the F-4 was actually shot down. ", U.S. Air-to-Air Victories during the Cold War, Wars in Yugoslavia, and Anti-Terror War, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/F-14_Tomcat_operational_history?oldid=4788199, Cooper, Tom and Liam F. Devlin. [47][48] This incident marked the only time a U.S. Navy F-14 was lost to hostile fire. [2], An F-14A Tomcat intercepting a Soviet Tupolev Tu-95RTs Bear D maritime recce aircraft over the Pacific Ocean in 1984. Being, If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with, If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with, This page was last edited on 26 September 2017, at 18:39. The Tomcats formed up on the EgyptAir 737 and a U.S. Navy EA-6B jammed all of the airliner's communications except to the F-14s and E-2C. The 737’s exact takeoff time, route and altitude were unknown;[23] so the plan involved crisscrossing the airliners's expected flight path over the Mediterranean Sea with an E-2C identifying contacts for the F-14s to perform positive identification on. An aircrew from VF-32 was involved in the worst friendly-fire incident in the war when the crew attacked a U.S. Special Forces convoy in northern Iraq, believing they were Iraqi forces. In April 1980, F-14s from VF-41 and VF-84 participated in an effort to free American hostages in Iran. 2 Sidewinder + 6 Sp… I made the following changes: When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true or failed to let others know (documentation at {{Sourcecheck}}). F-14 Tomcat. [45], In addition to the air-to-air duties, Tomcats supported the coalition’s need for battle damage assessments (BDA) and locating Scud missile launch sites by performing tactical reconnaissance missions utilizing TARPS. The F-14 had its first kills in U.S. Navy service on 19 August 1981 over the Gulf of Sidra in what is known as the Gulf of Sidra incident. The F-14 primarily conducted air-to-air and reconnaissance missions with the U.S. Navy until the 1990s, when it was employed as a long-range strike fighter. The Tomcat made its combat debut during Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon, in April 1975. [34][38][39] In contrast, U.S. Air Force F-15s had the systems necessary to independently identify enemy aircraft from beyond visual range and were given the primary overland combat air patrol stations to intercept Iraqi aircraft that made it into the air. VF-41 dropped the last bombs of the war on a dummy SA-9 surface-to-air missile launcher inside the Kosovo border near the peace-signing site on 9 June 1999. An F-14 Tomcat Has Returned To The Deck Of An Operational Carrier For Top Gun 2 Production It is now more certain than ever that Mav's old mount will … During the F-14's last three years in service, the remaining units all deployed to the Persian Gulf region in support of the U.S. forces in Iraq. In 1981, the Tomcatters received the F-14 Tomcat and started its first cruise on board the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). With the implied threat of a shoot-down, the 737's pilot chose to land at the NATO base in Sigonella, Sicily, where the airliner was quickly surrounded by U.S. and Italian security personnel. [53] On 19 December, the last day of the operation, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in the Persian Gulf and VF-213 joined the air strikes, taking the F-14D into combat for the first time. Operational History . F-14 vs F-18: Operations . The missiles missed and the U.S. responded with naval gunfire from the USS New Jersey (BB-62), destroying several anti-aircraft sites. 2 Sidewinder + 4 Phoenix 3. The bomb's targets were identified by laser indicators from F/A-18s because the F-14 was not yet cleared to carry the LANTIRN pod. [1] It saw considerable action in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf and was used as a strike platform in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq until its final deployment with the United States in 2006. [42], Tomcat aircrews that encountered Iraqi fighters found that the Iraqis would disengage and flee once tracked by the F-14's radar and pursued. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. [27][28][29] U.S. spokesmen downplayed the incident, possibly to avoid public and Congressional backlash in the United States to the then-recent operations in the Persian Gulf. In 1980, the squadron and the carrier, the USS Saratoga (CV-60), concluded a 24-year period of continuous service together, the longest in naval history. With minimal notice, the strike was moved up 24 hours so we quickly briefed for a 09:00 am (local) launch. Cheers.—InternetArchiveBot (Report bug) 13:32, 28 December 2016 (UTC). The best part about this very well documented footage is that it is presented and narrated by a former F-14 pilot and provides a very good insight into being a Tomcat pilot. [40][41] According to accounts from Navy pilots, Navy fighters were called off from Iraqi aircraft so that other coalition fighters could engage them. [13] Two F-14As from VF-11 engaged eight Syrian MiGs over Lebanon; the section flew cover for a TARPS F-14 and was ready to open fire when the four MiGs that were being targeted flew back toward Syria. TARPS equipped F-14s provided Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the ability to monitor Iraqi military activity on a daily basis in southern Iraq, making the Tomcat a primary asset in Operation Southern Watch. Its existence was brought about largely due to the demise of the failed F-111B initiative, a carrier-based version of the large General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" swing-wing fighter-bomber.
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