The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, variable sweep wings capable of supersonic flight. The aircraft is crewed by a Pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer who share the tasks of navigation, target acquisition, ECM and weapons usage. The Tomcat was operated by the United States Navy and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force only. The name “Tomcat” is said to come from the call-sign used by Vice Admiral Thomas Connolly which conformed to the USN tradition of giving Grumman aircraft feline names.
VF-2 “Bounty Hunters” joined the USS Constellation CV-64 in June 1994 and continued on it until July 2003 when the squadron was re-designated VFA-21 and re-equipped with the new F/A-18F. In Late 2002 into 2003 VF-2 took part in OIF and OSW and dropped the first Tomcat JDAM. During the two operations they flew 483 sorties delivering 294 LGBs – JDAMs and Mk-82 bombs. F-14D 164350 was delivered February 7, 1992 to VF-11 and then VF-2 in 1997 and finally VF-31. It is presently on display at Joe Davies Heritage Air Park Palmdale, California.