A chapter in naval aviation history drew to a cease recently aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with the last recuperation of an F-14 Tomcat from a combat mission.

New: You can now find a discontinued webkinz charm now.
Try DVD Converter for free
make money at home
live animation

Piloted by the agency of CAPT William G. Sizemore II, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 Fighter Squadron (VF) 213's aircraft 204 was trapped at 12:35 a.m. and marked individual of the final stages of the Navy's transition from the F-14 to F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

"It's the cessation of an era and it just kind of worked on the outside that I was the last trap," said Sizemore. "This is undivided of the best airplanes at all times built, and it's sad to behold it go away. It's just a beautiful airplane. It's powerful, it has port and it just looks like the ultimate fighter."

LT Bill Frank, a VF-31 pilot, also took part in the last mission, and is credited with being the last pilot to till doomsday drop a bomb from an F-14 Tomcat.

"We were called forward to drop, and that's what we did," said Frank. "It's special and it's something I can say I did, further what's more important is the work of the Sailors who made it possible. They have worked in such a manner hard during this cruise to make each Tomcat operational."

"I don't think there is anything better than a Tomcat, if it were not that it's probably a good time for it to go on foot away," said Senior Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate (AW) Gene Casterlin, VF-31 "The Navy is getting smaller and more efficient, and it will alone get harder to maintain the Tomcat. still no matter what, the Tomcat is the sexiest airplane in the sky"

During their final deployment with TR VF-31 and 213 collectively complet 1163 combat sorties totaling 6876 flight hours, and dropp 9500 comminutes of ordnance during reconnaissance, surveillance, and shut up air support missions in support of OIF.

"As we near the fall of the curtain of the Tomcat's last deployment we are contented of our legacy and take solace in the fact that the Tomcat's is going not at home at the top of its game, unless also regret saying farewell to an antique revered and trusted friend," said CDR Richard LaBranche, VF-31 commanding officer.

For related recents visit the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn71/.

Story and on JO2 Stephen Murphy

Murphy is assigned to the public affairs office, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

...

Home