History

By John Benton

On Wednesday, September 8th, 1999, Lt. Rob Green and his Radar Intercept Officer, Lt. Chris Boyle, flying Grumman F-14A “Tomcat” Bureau # 160386, lined up for their final approach to Runway 15 at NAS-JRB Willow Grove. They had already made two low passes in the big fighter, banking off into the delta pattern at mid field, giving those of us on the ground a final view of the Tomcat’s impressive profile as it roared away from us.

The mighty Tomcat touched down and rolled out to the end of the runway, turning off onto the taxiway where it was met by the Navy Fire Department and Transient Line crews. Seems a couple of minor problems had developed on this last hop, a direct flight from NAS Oceana, VA to Willow Grove.

Captain Tom Nagelin, then Commanding Officer of NAS-JRB Willow Grove, had arranged this last flight. He drove our DVHAA President, Milton Shils and I, along with a few others, down to meet the aircraft and its crew. This event culminated over a year’s joint efforts by Captain Nagelin and DVHAA to acquire an example of the F-14 for the static aircraft display we maintain here. Without Captain Nagelin’s enthusiastic pursuit of this acquisition, the “Tomcat” would not be here to join our collection.

In the weeks following the “Tomcat’s” arrival, it was disarmed and prepared for static display. Thanks to the joint efforts of DVHAA volunteers and the Navy, the aircraft retains a virtually complete appearance. DVHAA volunteers repainted the aircraft in the markings of VF-202 and VF-14, honoring three local men, including veteran “Blue Angel” LCdr. Scott Moyer, and Captain Nagelin, a veteran F-14 RIO who served in both squadrons, by placing their names on the canopy rails. The aircraft joined the base’s static display on November 20^th, 1999, and was an instant “hit” among aircraft enthusiasts from all over.

Images

Aircraft Type Specific Links:

• Grumman F-14 by Joe Baugher  (You won't need to ask, "Where's the beef?" when you're done reading this one!)
• M.A.T.S. F-14 Tomcat Reference  (Probably the best all-round F-14 website out there!)