F-14 Tomcast

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” Snyder and Dave “Bio” Baranek, discussing favorite parts of the series, missed opportunities, and more. We also present audience poll results and hints about the future...

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 fight. This episode goes into detail on the big fighter’s performance in a challenging threat environment. Our guests are former Tomcat pilot “Grumpy” Kimberly and RIO “Boog” Denneny, who flew demanding missions in OIF and share riveting tales of their experiences. Their opening comments also provide excellent background of the F-14 community in the 1990s and early 2000s.

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 impressive capabilities. During the Tomcat’s three-plus decades of service with the US Navy, however, American crews had only three combat Phoenix launches and none were successful. Our guest was one of those shooters. We interview “Jumby” Castleton, the lead RIO in a section of F-14Ds that attacked Iraqi aircraft in January 1999 during Operation Southern Watch. While the Phoenix did not score a kill, the tactics used by the Tomcat crews, and the Hornet crews with them, make a great story!

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 film follows two upcoming F-14 pilots in training, reveals their life stories and dreams, and continues as they enter the fleet. Our guests are one of the pilots profiled in the film, Meagan Flannigan (who was then Meagan Varley), and the fighter pilot who originated the idea and worked tirelessly to see it to completion, Paco Chierici. This episode is full of revelations about flying the Tomcat, making a movie, and living in front of the camera.

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 Vietnam. Our guest was an F-14 Tomcat pilot who served as an adversary, flying the A-4 Skyhawk and the F-21 Kfir – an Israeli product based on the sleek Mirage 5, with a powerful J79 engine. Retired Commander Bob “BB” Brauer talks about close-in combat as a Tomcat pilot, and what it was like to fight against the big fighter. He describes tricks the adversaries used and recalls his encounters with famous Tomcat pilots Hoser and Snort, as well as fighters of other services.

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 Tomcat’s successful performance reveals unexpected OAF stories. Retired Rear Admiral Dell “Snapper” Bull, deployed with VF-14 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt from March-September 1999. Snapper recalls combat experiences, sharing stories first-told here. You’ll hear technical details, learn about the value of delay lazing, and be reminded that resourceful aviators often make the difference between failure and success.

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 realized the F-14 Tomcat would be more valuable if it could improve its multi-mission performance and do so quickly – so the team got to work adapting the Air Force LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system to make the Tomcat a premiere precision strike-fighter. Our guest is former F-14 RIO Dave “HeyJoe” Parsons, known to most F-14 fans for his books and incredible photographs, who was also a key member of the small team that worked miracles in getting LANTIRN on the Tomcat in record time. HeyJoe identifies the people who led the charge and describes how they made it happen. This interview provides fascinating insights into military procurement, showing what a few determined people can accomplish, and explains why the Tomcat was an exceptional strike-fighter.

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, former F-14 pilot “Fuzzy” Matheson and RIO “Woodie” Wood, who flew combat missions with VF-84 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, discuss taking the big fighter into combat. Fuzzy and Woodie share fascinating stories about last-minute training, chaotic early missions, and learning some hard lessons of combat … plus how Desert Storm influenced TOPGUN and other Naval Aviation training.

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 performed “recce” using TARPS – a massive pod on the Tomcat’s belly that carried multiple cameras. We interview RIOs from early and later in the TARPS program, “Rooter” Root and “Santa” Noel, respectively, who describe everything from mission preparation to high-profile flights and combat missions. Additionally, technical expert “Kodak” Tennyson, a former limited duty officer, adds details on camera capabilities, film handling, the TARPS program, and more. Smile, you’re on camera!

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 podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The first big-screen appearance of the F-14 was in the 1980 sci-fi adventure The Final Countdown, which has gained fans and respect as the years go by. We get the full story from a former Tomcat pilot who flew many of the memorable scenes in this Tomcat classic. Al “Shoes” Mullen was a lieutenant in VF-84 who had recently completed the Navy’s TOPGUN training when he was sent to Key West to film some unknown movie. A great story-teller, Shoes describes how the movie-makers struggled to effectively and safely film the aerial action, and gives his reaction to the famous scene where it looks like a Tomcat almost flies into the water. In addition to his role in the film, Shoes has amusing stories about his time in the Training Command and his later tour as a TOPGUN instructor.

* * * Update: While some viewers challenge the veracity of our guest, we stand by him. * * * Most people familiar with the F-14 know Iran was the only country outside the US to operate the big fighter, but they likely know little of the Persian Cat otherwise. This candid interview with a former Iranian Tomcat pilot takes viewers where few have gone: inside the Iranian F-14 program. We hide the identity of our guest for his personal security, but we get the full story of his experience: his selection for Tomcats, what he thought of his instructors, the condition of the aircraft and facilities, and even some war stories. He talks about practice intercepts with the MiG-25, use of the F-14 as a “mini-AWACS,” and attitudes toward external threats such as American and Israeli forces. We avoid political issues but as the interview progresses, our guest says he cannot talk about the military forces without touching on certain political aspects--and his revelations are surprising.

The AWG-9 radar and weapons control system was one of the defining features of the F-14A Tomcat. Its multi-target track and missile control capabilities were unique, particularly when paired with the remarkable AIM-54 Phoenix. However, a skilled RIO was required to achieve peak performance. On this episode, former F-14 RIO and TOPGUN instructor, retired US Navy Captain Ken “Wahoo” Ginader, takes us through the Tomcat weapons system’s strengths, reveals secrets, and dispels myths. Wahoo gives a great overview of what it was like to operate this airborne powerhouse and reveals unexpected comments on the Iran hostage rescue mission of 1980. He also tells some exciting stories of missile exercises that demonstrated the Tomcat’s prowess.