The F-14 Tomcat Reunion

[mustangdriver]

I got to attend one of the F-14 Tomcat reunions at NAS Oceana and then go to the airshow with the same group in a private box. We all had a very great time, and they are all cool people.

[Zachary]

Nice shots Chris!

Zack

[kenlyco]

Last one down..

[Warbird Kid]

Chris, your a Sox fan?!

[mustangdriver]

Yeah, I can't root for the Pirates. Ha Ha. I actually used to be a Pirate fan. I believe in being with your team through thick and thick, but when they stop trying to win, and the owner doesn't care, then it is time to find another team. I like the teams with history, Boston, NYY, Baltimore, and the Cubs.

[Sasquatch]

Who exactly was reunioning? One of the Tomcat Squadrons?

--Tom

Last edited by Sasquatch on Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:28 am, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

It was for anyone that was a pilot, RIO, mechanic, or served with the F-14. Even fans of the Tomcat were welcome.

[Sasquatch]

Thanks, 'Stangdriver. I would've liked to have been able to have been there for that. Oceana was the base where I served, in F-4s...and our squadron introduced F-14s, and was the last one flying them (VF-101 Grim Reapers, in the photo above). Someday I gotta get back there.

--Tom

PS...nice photo, Kenlyco!

[mustangdriver]

That's awesome. What did you do on the Tomcat? Do you know about the F-14 association?

[Sasquatch]

What did you do on the Tomcat? Do you know about the F-14 association?

Not a whole lot, Mustangdriver. Towed them on the ramp once or twice, helped do some air and hydraulic servicing when their guys were short of nitrogen or hydraulic fluid. But our squadron (VF-101) split into two hangars when the F-14s arrived, shortly before I arrived at Oceana. I went to work on the F-4J side, so spent my time working on Phantoms...even got to take a ride once. The F-14 side operated like an independent squadron...the only time we really operated together was when we all went to sea on Carrier Qualifications (CarQuals)...then we sometimes shared spaces and manpower to help each other out.

I wasn't aware of the F-14 association though. Not that I'd necessarily join though...I'm more of a Phantom guy.

--Tom

[mustangdriver]

That is cool stuff man.

[Sasquatch]

Thanks 'Stang...it was a lot of fun. Always loved Phantoms, so I was in hog heaven.

--Tom