On August 19th, 1981 'Fast Eagle 102' (BuNo 160403) flown by the Commanding Officer of VF-41, Commander Henry 'Hank' Kleemann and his RIO LT David 'DJ' Venlet launched from the USS Nimitz for a dawn combat air patrol over the Gulf of Sidra together with 'Fast Eagle 107' (BuNo 160390). During the CAP both Tomcats were intercepted, and shot at by two Libyan Air Force Sukhoi Su-22M2K Fitters. In the dogfight that followed - the US Navy's first air-to-air engagement since the Vietnam War - each Tomcat destroyed one Fitter. These were the first air-to-air victories for the F-14 Tomcat.

Photographer unknown

Photographed in the restoration yard at the CAF Museum at MAF so soon she will be looking at her best again.

Photographed in the restoration yard at the CAF Museum at MAF so, hopefully, soon this old combat veteran will be looking at her best again.