Sticking with our original plan, this is the 26th and final episode of the F-14 Tomcast season 1. We change it up for this episode, with “Jell-O” Aiello of the Fighter Pilot Podcast interviewing hosts “Crunch” Snyder and “Bio” Baranek. We discuss favorite part of the podcast series, missed opportunities, and more. In addition, we present the results of the audience poll and hints about the future! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https:...
Aug 30, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 26
All good things come to an end, and so it was with the Tomcat’s U.S. Navy service. The end came in 2006, when the final Navy F-14 squadron -- VF-31 Tomcatters – shut down their F-14Ds for the last time. There’s a lot more to the story than the Tomcat Sunset ceremony at NAS Oceana and a final flight, such as the final deployment and behind-the-scenes activities that will surprise you. Our guest is uniquely qualified for this topic, as he was the last commanding officer of VF-31: James “Puck” Howe...
Aug 16, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Coalition combat returned to Iraq in 2003 with Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Among U.S. 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...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In response to the 9/11 attacks, American and coalition forces commenced combat operations in Afghanistan (and other locations), with conventional operations commencing 7 October 2001. It was an incredible period in recent history, and our guest was a key participant. We talk to former F-14 RIO Mike Peterson, callsign “Tung,” about what it was like being on deployment when 9/11 happened…and flying in the first strike to begin the military response. A member of VF-213 flying from the USS Carl Vin...
Jul 19, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The AIM-54 Phoenix 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 of them 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 du...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Sure, you’ve seen an air show -- and the lucky ones have seen a Tomcat demonstration, or demo – but you will be amazed at what it took to train for the performance and what it was like to fly a show in the big fighter! Learn about the importance of crew coordination; guidelines for air shows, including distance from the crowd, altitude; the scary moments; and much more! We interview a pilot and RIO team, "Shorn" Saccomando and "Ponch" Rivera, who candidly reveal the extreme professionalism and c...
Jun 21, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Aviation movie fans are likely familiar with the movie 'Speed & Angels,' a documentary that was released in 2008 and still gets high praise for its scenes of fighter aviation as well as its 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 tirel...
Jun 07, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 20
One of the stars of the 1986 movie 'Top Gun' was the F-14 Tomcat, and we dig deep into what it took to create this memorable film. From the canopy-to-canopy scene, tower fly-by, and low-altitude flights over the desert, filming Top Gun required careful coordination and skillful performance from all involved, including the Navy aviators, camera operators, and others. Former F-14 pilots “Bozo” Abel and “Smegs” Semcken were instrumental participants, and they give us their first-person recollection...
May 24, 2022•1 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The U.S. Navy maintained a robust force of adversaries to provide air-to-air training for its fighter squadrons in the 1970s and 1980s, proving that it really had learned from its experience in Vietnam. Our guest was a 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 th...
May 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 18
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 capability but required specialized maintenance to operate at full capability. We talk to two former Aviation Electronics Technicians – ATs in Navy rating language – who give us a different perspective on the F-14. Guests Barry Shumate and John Kovar talk about how they learned their craft: Navy schools, spending free time in the shop, sharing tricks wi...
Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 17
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 key role in the Tomcat’s successful performance and reveals unexpected episodes from combat missions. Our guest, retired Rear Admiral Dell “Snapper” Bull, deployed with VF-14 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt from March-September 1999. He recalls their expectations and combat experiences, and shares stories that are told here for the first time. You’...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 16
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 USAF F-15C pilot who was assigned to a Navy F-14A squadron for an exchange tour and provides wide-ranging and entertaining comments on squadron environment, training, and other topics – as well as the fighters themselves: handling characteristics, engines, and much more. Our guest is retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Doug “Norton” Carney, and he peppers...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
U.S. Navy carrier aviation underwent significant changes in the 1990s, with retirement of several types and debate over the future. A team of visionaries realized that the F-14 Tomcat would be much more valuable if it could improve its multi-mission performance and do it quickly – and got to work adapting the Air Force LANTIRN* 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 ph...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 14
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 back-up for almost everything, and the ultimate backup is a barricade recovery. We talk to a pilot and RIO about their night barricade recovery while flying with VF-2 aboard the USS Ranger in 1989. Pager and Rico describe how they got into the situation, how they prepared when starting this unusual approach, and what it was like flying into a giant n...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Operation Desert Storm, which started in January 1991, was a landmark in modern warfare and the F-14 Tomcat made some important contributions. Former F-14 pilot “Fuzzy” Matheson and RIO “Woodie” Wood, who flew combat missions with VF-84 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, talk about 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 … and how Desert Storm influenced Topgun and ...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 12
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 interview combat-experienced F-14D RIO “Fun” Mhley to get the scoop on how they increased combat effectiveness of the Tomcat's ultimate version; it was a lot more than just an improved radar! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/f-14_tomcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Feb 01, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The photo reconnaissance mission required a high level of aircrew proficiency, and could be as challenging and exciting as any TACAIR missions. The F-14 performed “recce” using TARPS – a massive pod on the Tomcat’s belly that carried multiple cameras – for much of its career. 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. In addition, technical...
Jan 18, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 brought powerful engines and many other improved systems to the fight, and our guest is enthusiastically reports on their effectiveness. Jungle was an F-14D pilot and Topgun instructor, and takes us into his combat missions as well as training dogfights where he surprised many friendly fighters who didn’t realize what the ultimate Tomcat could do. A grea...
Jan 04, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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
Dec 26, 2021•40 min
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 mission effectiveness are Aviation Ordnancemen, who proudly call themselves “Ordies.” In this wild episode we interview two Ordies who embody the professionalism and fighting spirit of the rating: Randy Zeitler and Steve Folsom. With raucous energy they talk about the weapons that gave the Tomcat its claws, as well as the unforgiving flight deck environm...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 class when he was sent to Key West to film some unknown movie. A great story-teller, Shoes describes how the movie-makers struggled to ef...
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 7
After twenty years of strictly air-to-air missions, the F-14 community embraced air-to-ground, including the challenging role of Forward Air Controller – Airborne (FAC-A). This episode addresses the Tomcat’s performance in FAC-A as well as the big picture of this demanding mission. A former F-14 pilot, retired Captain Paul “PK” Averna was an instructor at Strike Weapons and Tactics School, Atlantic (SWATSLANT) and was personally involved with launching FAC-A training in the F-14 community. In ad...
Nov 23, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 experience. 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...
Nov 09, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 5
When introduced, the F-14 Tomcat set new standards for maneuverability and controllability, making it a great dogfighter. In this episode, a renowned F-14 pilot describes those capabilities and goes further, providing valuable insights on topics from flying skills to Navy training programs. Retired U.S. Navy Captain Sam “Slammer” Richardson takes us from his early days in pilot training to his time as the CO of the F-14 training squadron (aka RAG), where he flew A-model Tomcats and won dogfights...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 radar intercept officer (RIO) was required to achieve their peak performance. On this episode, former F-14 RIO and TOPGUN instructor, retired U.S. Navy Captain Ken “Wahoo” Ginader, takes us through the Tomcat weapons system’s strengths, reveals secrets, ...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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" Chanik and Captain “Ler” Brad Poeltler, members of the VF-1 “Wolfpack” for the F-14 second operational deployment (1976-77), share vivid memories and exciting flying stories from how they were initially admitted into the competitive F-14 program to what it was like flying the Navy’s sizzling hot new fighter. They talk about some of the Tomcat’s amazing n...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 throughout its illustrious career. But aircraft like this don’t come easy, and the Tomcat experienced significant development challenges during flight test. Legendary Grumman test pilot Kurt Schroeder pulls back the curtain on the F-14’s design and flight test program, providing little-known facts and stunning insights that will wow you throughout the int...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 1
On this inaugural episode of the first season, Fighter Pilot Podcast founder and host, Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello introduces former F-14 pilot Craig "Crunch" Snyder and RIO Dave "Bio" Baranek who will host season 1 of this podcast. Crunch and Bio then explain a few details listeners can expect.
Sep 13, 2021•7 min
