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VF-14 on Deployment!
By LT Jim Stanley, VF-14 PAO
April 4, 1999
Release No. 20-99

It was a cold and rainy day on Saturday March 27th when the Fighter Squadron FOURTEEN aircrews reported to work. Hangar spaces once filled with computers, paperwork, tools, and aircraft parts already stood empty and quiet; the ground maintenance crew had packed their bags, loaded the trucks, and said their good-byes to family and loved ones two days earlier. With the help of the professional ground crew from VF-211, the Tophatter jets quickly took off into the overcast skies on a one way flight to the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), their home for the next six months.

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VF-14 F-14A Tomcat in flight over Oceana. Photo by Lt. Jim Stanley.

It seemed like only a few months ago that the Tophatters returned from their last cruise, especially for some of the family members who remember the 6-month separation. Actually, the Tophatters spent a great deal of time in the last 15 months preparing for this deployment period. They practiced their gunnery and Air Combat Maneuvering skills in Key West last February; fought against F-15s and F-16s while working with the Air Force in Panama City, Florida last March; then they started the initial phases of the work-up cycle beginning with Air-to-Air Strike-Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) in Oceana in June. That was followed shortly by Air-to-Ground SFARP in El Centro, California. Finally, their first embarkation on the Roosevelt came in early September for the initial phases of the carrier work-up cycle. Then it was off to Fallon, Nevada in October for several weeks of Airwing training; followed by a six week embarked period on the ROOSEVELT to practice what was learned in Fallon. One final embarked training period came in February before Airwing Eight and the Roosevelt team was considered "ready for deployment."

The Tophatters will bring the latest technology with them on this deployment, as the F-14A Tomcat has seen numerous modifications in the last year. The latest change was new software for the Tomcat's AWG-9 radar control system. Designed in the 1960's and one of the oldest air-to-air radar systems, the AWG-9 is still the most powerful and the new software will increase its capabilities for the 21st century. One of the most exciting improvements was the incorporation of a new Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) that replaced the analog system in use since the aircraft's inception. All pilots agree that the Tomcat is now more maneuverable and has crisp response to pilot control inputs. Along with the DFCS modification came a new, more advanced Radar Warning Receiver that gives the Tophatter aircrew earlier and more accurate indications of enemy radar trying to detect and lock onto their aircraft. Another significant improvement was an upgraded software package for the LANTIRN pod, the infrared targeting and tracking pod which allows the Tomcat to employ numerous types of laser guided munitions. The enhanced software allows the F-14 to more accurately employ weapons as well as record more accurate target coordinates.

"This is perhaps the greatest new bit of technology for us to put to use," said Commander Ted Carter, CO of VF-14.

Using the newly installed Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI) system, the F-14A Aircrew can transmit digital images captured from the LANTIRN pod video to another Tomcat or to the Battle Group Commander. These images could be used for immediate attack by another aircraft, for damage assessment, for locating targets of opportunity, or simply for determining precise coordinates for targeting by other weapons.

Although the separation will seem long, and is trying at times, family members know the importance of the challenges their loved ones face in the Navy. Beneath the strain of family separation lies an undercurrent of excitement for the Tophatters who, along with their sister squadron VF-41, will deploy with the most advanced modifications to the F-14A Tomcat yet to be employed. In view of the current combat operations underway by NATO in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, the Tophatters stand poised and ready to carry out any mission safely, swiftly and in the professional manner that has been the Tophatter trademark since we were founded 80 years ago. All the Tophatters look forward to that most emotional of moments when we return at the end of our deployment to the waiting arms of our loved ones, knowing that we met the challenge head on and not only succeeded, but excelled.

As published on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) web site

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