(Best watched on TV and with a sound system) This has been rendered into 4K resolution because it was filmed in VHS to give a better viewing experience.
Its been almost 30 years since VF-213 Fighting Blacklions squadron based out of Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California made two Western Pacific deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch 1995 - 1996- 1997 and Operation Vigilante Sentinel 1995.
During both cruises VF-213 had thousands of sorties and flight hours flown over the Persian Gulf region.
This video is a fast paced, and shows the dedication that the aircrews, maintainers as a squadron had to keep us airworthy and the tip of the spear.
You will see, carrier landings, flight deck carrier operations, 5 separate sound barrier breaks, join the LSO Platform in the dark of the night. Go for a flight with an aircrew patrol. Followed by the aircrews over Iraq, carrying out a challenge the CAG set out before we left the Gulf, by flying all 14 Tomcats in the squadron in a single sortie over Iraq No Fly zone.
Wanting to preserve the footage I had, some never published before. Wanting to share with the world, the significance that the Tomcat brought to US Naval Aviation and defense of the Nation.
The F-14 Tomcat is still talked about to this day by the Pilots who flew them, stories being shared by those who maintained them, documentaries still being made "Topgun Tales" and "Speed and Angels", book still being written, and yes making an appearance in the movie "Topgun Maverick". Even though, having been retired in 2006. The plane is simply loved in the hearts by the aircrews that flew them and the maintainers that kept them going. As well as millions of aviation enthusists across the world. It was the people who made it fly and worked on the F-14, that made it famous.
I am honored for having a small role of the Tomcat's legacy and apart of unique time in Naval Aviation history. The 1990's.
I am proud that I was a part of one of the greatest squadrons and most famous squadrons featured in a few major motion pictures aside from the original "Top Gun". Why were called "World Famous Fighting Blacklions"
Having been a maintainer, "Tomcat Tweaker", nothing was better than when our jets went flying and returned safely with the aircrew.
I hope you enjoy this video, before the footage no longer usable or existed.
A short history about VF-213
Tailcode:'NH'
The Blacklions were established as VF-213 on the 22nd of June 1955 at NAS Moffet Field, and thus are one of a rare breed among Navy squadrons in that they retain the designation they were established with.
VF-213 were among the first NAS Miramar squadrons to receive the F-14A, beginning conversion to it in September 1976,
1982 saw VF-213 gain the first of their TARPS capable F-14's and quickly become proficient with the new equipment and role.
In the next few years, VF-213 began providing extra strike capability through their 'Bombcat capabilities. That would be substantially increased with the introduction of NVG's and LANTIRN pods to allow VF-213 to designate targets for their own LGB's and to fly and navigate accurately at night.
During the 1996-97 deployment. VF-213 fired twenty-six AIM-54 Phoenix and six AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, including one event where six planes launched twelve Phoenix missiles. These mass firings were conducted to reduce the numbers of older Phoenix missiles in inventory, as they were being removed from service.
By the late 90’s most F-14A's had run out of their airframe life limit, leaving VF-213 to become to finish the squadron to fly the F-14D Super Tomcat until 2006. With VF-31 and VF-213 being the last two active F-14 Tomcat squadrons.
US Navy Official Website - www.navy.mil/
US Navy Recruiting Website - www.navy.com/
USNI Website - news.usni.org/
Naval Aviation and History/Heritage Command - www.history.navy.mil/browse-b...
Naval Aviation Museum - navalaviationmuseum.org/
F-14 Tomcat Association - www.f-14association.com/
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