F-14 Tomcast

26. Season 1 Wrap Up & Look Back

This is the 26th and final episode of the F-14 Tomcast season 1. On this episode, Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello of the Fighter Pilot Podcast, interviews hosts Craig “Crunch” S

25. Retiring the F-14 Tomcat

It is said that all good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s service. The end came in 2006, when the final US Navy F-14 squadron, VF-31 Tomcatters, sh

24. The F-14 Tomcat in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Coalition combat returned to Iraq in 2003 with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Among US Navy forces were the Bounty Hunters of VF-2, which brought F-14D Tomcats to the fig

23. Claws Out: F-14 Tomcats over Afghanistan post-9/11

In response to the 9/11 terror attacks, American and coalition forces commenced combat operations in Afghanistan with conventional operations commencing 7 October 2001. I

22. Firing the AIM-54 in Anger

The AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missile was a major part of the F-14 program: it affected the Tomcat’s design and was the weapon that gave the Tomcat its unique and most im

21. Flying the F-14 Tomcat Air Show Demo

Sure, you’ve seen an air show, and the lucky have seen an F-14 Tomcat demonstration, but you will be amazed by what it took to train for the performance and what it was l

20. "Speed & Angels", the Documentary (not Movie)

Aviation fans are likely familiar with the movie 'Speed & Angels,' a 2008 documentary that still receives high praise for its fighter aviation scenes and realism. The fil

19. The Tomcat and "Top Gun" (the Movie)

One of the stars of the 1986 movie 'Top Gun' was undeniably the F-14 Tomcat,. On this episode, we dig deep into what it took to create this memorable film. From the cano

18. Adversary Pilots Battle the F-14

In the 1970s and 80s, the US Navy maintained a robust adversary force to provide air-to-air training for its fighter squadrons, proving it had learned from experiences in

17. Keep 'em Flying: Tomcat Technicians

The AWG-9 radar was one of the systems that made the Tomcat a remarkable fighter when it was introduced. It had exceptional range and multi-shot capability but required s

16. Tomcats over Kosovo

The Tomcat’s debut as a precision strike-fighter came in 1999 with NATO Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. On this episode, a former F-14 RIO who played a key role in the

15. The Air Force F-15 Pilot who Flew the F-14

The F-14 and F-15 were developed only a few years apart and their intended missions overlapped, so a rivalry was only natural. On this episode, a USAF F-15C pilot assign

14. Night Eyes for the Tomcat

US Navy carrier aviation underwent significant changes in the 1990s, with the retirement of several aircraft types and much debate over the future. A team of visionaries

13. Rig the Barricade!

US Navy aircraft carrier operations are complex and challenging for the aircrew and shipboard personnel. A back-up exists for almost everything, and the ultimate backup f

12. F-14 Tomcats in Desert Storm

Operation Desert Storm, which started in January 1991, was a landmark event in modern warfare and the F-14 Tomcat made some important contributions. On this episode, for

11. F-14D Combat Systems

The F-14D "Super" Tomcat introduced a host of new combat systems: including the APG-71 radar, Infrared Search and Track (IRST). On this episode, combat-experienced F-14D

10. Photo Reconnaissance Tomcats

The photo reconnaissance mission requires a high level of aircrew proficiency and is as challenging and exciting as any traditional strike fighter missions. The F-14 pe

9. Flying the F-14D "Super" Tomcat

This episode provides the full story of the F-14D, sometimes known as the Super Tomcat, as only “Jungle” Jones can tell it. The D-model brought powerful engines and many

End of Year Bonus - December 2021

Crunch and Bio tell the stories behind their callsigns and answer questions: Fuzzbusters, fuel ladders, switching between the Tomcat and Hornet, and more!  Support this

8. Tomcat Ordnancemen

Hot steel on target, on time - that’s the difference between a strike fighter feared by the enemy and parade aircraft. The men who enable that mission effectiveness are