F-14 Tomcast
Channel Details
F-14 Tomcast
The F-14 Tomcast is an internet show dedicated to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the amazing men and women who flew, fixed, fought, and loved her. Season 1, which aired between September 2021 and August 2022, was hosted by a former US Navy F-14 pilot and RIO duo who, combined, had more than 30 years,...
Recent Episodes
28 episodes
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,...
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-1...
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-14...
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 commenci...
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 it...
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 performan...
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...
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 th...
18. Adversary Pilots Battle the F-14 Tomcats
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...
17. Keeping '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 capab...
16. Tomcats over Kosovo
The Tomcat’s debut as a precision strike-fighter came in 1999 with NATO Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. We talk to a former F-14 RIO who played a ke...
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 had many overlaps, so a rivalry was only natural. We talk to a US...
14. Night Eyes for the Tomcat
U.S. Navy carrier aviation underwent significant changes in the 1990s, with retirement of several types and debate over the future. A team of visionar...
13. Rig the Barricade!
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier ops are a series of complex and challenging events for the pilot, RIO or other crew, and shipboard personnel. There is a ba...
12. F-14 Tomcats in Desert Storm
Operation Desert Storm, which started in January 1991, was a landmark in modern warfare and the F-14 Tomcat made some important contributions. Former...
11. F-14D Combat Systems
The F-14D "Super" Tomcat introduced a host of new combat systems: APG-71 radar, Infrared Search and Track (IRST), and more.
On this episode, we...
10. Photo Reconnaissance Tomcats
The photo reconnaissance mission required a high level of aircrew proficiency, and could be as challenging and exciting as any TACAIR missions. The F-...
9. Flying the F-14D "Super Tomcat"
This episode gives you the full story of the F-14D, sometimes known as the Super Tomcat, as only “Jungle” Jones can tell it! The D-model Tomcat brough...
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 m...
8. Tomcat Ordnancemen
Hot steel on target, on time. That’s the difference between a strike fighter feared by the enemy and a parade aircraft. The men who enable that missio...
7. Filming "The Final Countdown"
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...
6. Developing the FAC-A Mission for the F-14
After twenty years of strictly air-to-air missions, the F-14 community embraced air-to-ground, including the challenging role of Forward Air Controlle...
5. Flying Iranian Tomcats
Most people familiar with the F-14 know Iran was the only non-U.S. country to operate the big fighter, but they likely know little of the Persian Cat...
4. Flying the F-14 Tomcat
When introduced, the F-14 Tomcat set new standards for maneuverability and controllability, making it a great dogfighter. In this episode, a renowned...
3. The AWG-9 Radar and AIM-54 Phoenix Missile
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 capabiliti...
2. The F-14 Tomcat Joins the Fleet
What was it like to fly the F-14A Tomcat in the early days when everything was new and different?
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Marty "Streak"...
1. Flight Testing the New F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the U.S. Navy’s frontline fighter for 30 years. A revolutionary design when new, the 'big fighter' remained potent through...
0. Welcome to Season 1 of the F-14 Tomcast
On this inaugural episode of the first season, Fighter Pilot Podcast founder and host, Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello introduces former F-14 pilot Craig "Cru...