The Hickory Aviation Museum’s F-14D Bureau Number 163902 (~Dec 07) is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. VF-31 “Tomcatters” Modex 107 flew the retirement ceremony with LCDR Chris Richard and LT Mike Petronis at the controls. Coordinated by Kyle and Kregg Kirby.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War. The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet interceptor and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform.