Point of Contact: Nancy L. Crook, Public Affairs Division Director Release No. 05-07
(904) 542-3168, extension 161
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date January 26, 2005

F-14 Takes Its Place At Heritage Park
By Katherine Midyette, NAVAIR Depot Public Affairs Specialist

The Naval Air (NAVAIR) Depot Jacksonville honored one of the Navy’s premier aircraft, the F-14 Tomcat, on January 11, 2005. The Depot’s aircraft move crew towed the aircraft down Yorktown Avenue to its final resting place at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS JAX) Heritage Park.

For over 30 years, the F-14 “Tomcat” defended the United States against enemies near and far. Scheduled to retire from service mid-FY07, the Depot performed the last Scheduled Depot Level Maintenance (SDLM) in 2004. A rollout ceremony was held in June 2004 and over 400 Depot employees and guests bid farewell to this incredible aircraft.

In an effort to honor its many years of service, Depot Aerospace Engineering Technician, George “Nick” Smichmick, started a campaign to have the Tomcat put on display at Heritage Park. This required getting permission from the Naval Museum in Pensacola, who actually owns aircraft static displays, and NAS JAX. Once this was accomplished, Depot volunteers started looking for spare parts and out of date material to build the aircraft. The project was completed in December 2004.

Now, with its glossy paint job reminiscent of the 1970’s VF-84 Jolly Rogers, the display will be a constant tribute to the F-14 Tomcat’s service to the Navy for generations to come.

– USN –

“NAVAIR provides cost-wise readiness and dominant maritime combat power to make a great Navy/Marine Corps team better.”