Tyson V. Rininger

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  • VF-213's retro-painted F-14D is rolled into the hangar at NAS Fallon for some electrical work.  Workups at Fallon provide the Airwing's aircrew to experience maintenance training at remote locations.
    fallon05_f14_vf213_213_1540.jpg
  • VF-213's retro-painted F-14D is rolled into the hangar at NAS Fallon for some electrical work.  Workups at Fallon provide the Airwing's aircrew to experience maintenance training at remote locations.
    fallon05_f14_vf213_213_1527.jpg
  • VF-213's retro-painted F-14D is rolled into the hangar at NAS Fallon for some electrical work.  In the background, an F-14D from VF-31 is also being worked on.  Workups at Fallon provide the Airwing's aircrew to experience maintenance training at remote locations.
    fallon05_f14_vf213_213_1526.jpg
  • VF-213's retro-painted F-14D is rolled into the hangar at NAS Fallon for some electrical work.  Workups at Fallon provide the Airwing's aircrew to experience maintenance training at remote locations.
    fallon05_f14_vf213_213_1520.jpg
  • VF-213's retro-painted F-14D is rolled into the hangar at NAS Fallon for some electrical work.  In the background, an F-14D from VF-31 is also being worked on.  Workups at Fallon provide the Airwing's aircrew to experience maintenance training at remote locations.
    fallon05_f14_vf213_213_1517.jpg
  • paraiso08_hangar_4726.jpg
  • Cub Crafters Photoshoot in Yakima, Washington
    cubcraft06_cub_6-27_1995.jpg
  • cias07_a10_7916.jpg
  • Cub Crafters Photoshoot in Yakima, Washington
    cubcraft06_cub_6-27_2007.jpg
  • cvn71_vf31_105_5594.jpg
  • mjc07_ramp_6486.jpg
  • reno08_pitts_1931.jpg
  • ARS10_porterville_aerial_3497.jpg
  • Photoshoot for PilotMag Magazine of Airship Ventures Zeppelin NT along with the only female Airship pilot at the time, Kate Board.
    zeppelin09_moffett_6187.jpg
  • A highly polished 1966 Alon A2 Aircoupe, N6511Q
    aircoupe10_a2_N6511Q_1306.jpg
  • cvn71_vf31_104_6451.jpg
  • cvn71_vf31_104_6449.jpg
  • cvn71_vf213_203_6453.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_crew_5648.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_610_6843.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_610_6387.jpg
  • Lt. Col. Chris 'Hans' Knehans, 7th Fighter Squadron commander, inspects his F-117A aircraft with the assistance of the F-117 Demo Team prior to the Silver Stealth Formation Flight.
    silver_stealth06_pilot_798_0946.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_839_0696.jpg
  • On April 21, 1999 The Dragon aircraft, #86-0837 suffered extensive damage in an unspecified landing accident. The aircraft belonged to the Detachment 1, 79th Test and Evaluation Group and therefore wore a tailcode of "OT". The accident was reported as a Class A mishap. According to some sources, the damage was quickly repaired and the Dragon was flying again as of October 1999.
    silver_stealth06_f117_837_0822.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_798_0972.jpg
  • Master Sgt. Byron 'Ozzy' Osborn has worked on the F-117A for nearly 19 years. A fitting retirement, he chose to leave the service on the same day as the Silver Stealth flyover.
    silver_stealth06_crew_0729.jpg
  • mjc07_ramp_6578.jpg
  • mjc07_ramp_6486a.jpg
  • paraiso08_jardine_4771.jpg
  • paraiso08_decker_4794.jpg
  • cias08_aerial_7298.jpg
  • Photoshoot for PilotMag Magazine of Airship Ventures Zeppelin NT along with the only female Airship pilot at the time, Kate Board.
    zeppelin09_moffett_6182.jpg
  • Photoshoot for PilotMag Magazine of Airship Ventures Zeppelin NT along with the only female Airship pilot at the time, Kate Board.
    zeppelin09_moffett_6145.jpg
  • tucker08_team_4271.jpg
  • teeters08_p51d_5040.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1062.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1052.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1028.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1014.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1013.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_0963.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_0959.jpg
  • On the final eve of the gathering, "The Last Supper" was held at the airport as a way of thanking those who work so hard on keeping them flying.
    thelasttime10_dc3_dinner_2358.jpg
  • cvn71_vf31_104_6442.jpg
  • cvn71_vf213_205_f14_5580.jpg
  • cvn71_vf213_205_f14_5574.jpg
  • cvn71_vf213_200_6435.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_crew_6408.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_crew_6377.jpg
  • cvn71_hs3_616_7286.jpg
  • fallon05_f14_vf31_110_1815.jpg
  • fallon05_f14_vf31_110_1814.jpg
  • Lt. Col. Chris 'Hans' Knehans, 7th Fighter Squadron commander, inspects his F-117A aircraft with the assistance of the F-117 Demo Team prior to the Silver Stealth Formation Flight.
    silver_stealth06_pilot_798_0874.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_839_0681.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_839_0616.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_813_0826.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_798_0980.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_798_0933.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_796_0718.jpg
  • Lt. Col. Chris 'Hans' Knehans, 7th Fighter Squadron commander, greets the crew of the F-117 Demo Team prior to the Silver Stealth Formation Flight.
    silver_stealth06_crew_798_0867.jpg
  • ars07_formation_0066.jpg
  • reno08_pitts_1940.jpg
  • ARS10_porterville_aerial_3488.jpg
  • teeters08_p51d_5473.jpg
  • tucker08_team_4237.jpg
  • tucker08_extra_pitts_1939.jpg
  • teeters08_p51d_5437.jpg
  • teeters08_p51d_4933.jpg
  • teeters08_p51d_4886.jpg
  • redflag08_rokaf_f15_1381.jpg
  • mjc10_1101.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1035.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1026.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1005.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1002.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1000.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_0960.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mcj10_1027.jpg
  • Retirement of the F-14 Tomcat at NAS Oceana
    tomsun06_f14_7990.jpg
  • cvn71_vf213_200_6435a.jpg
  • silver_stealth06_f117_837_0850.jpg
  • Captain Christina Szasz straps into an F-117A Night Hawk just prior to the mass formation flyover in celebration of the stealth aircraft's 25th anniversary.
    silver_stealth06_f117_800_0966.jpg
  • mjc07_ramp_6547.jpg
  • nellis08_p38_redbull_3694.jpg
  • tucker08_extra_pitts_1929.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_1041.jpg
  • Aerials of Monterey Jet Center (MJC)
    mjc10_0995.jpg
  • Aircraft for Sale, Beechcraft King Air E90 Extended-Range Twin Engine Aircraft
    ccas10_kingair_n443cl_0861.jpg
  • Photoshoot for PilotMag Magazine of Airship Ventures Zeppelin NT along with the only female Airship pilot at the time, Kate Board.
    zeppelin09_moffett_6206.jpg
  • 2009 California Capital Air Show in Sacramento, California celebrates Air Force Week, September 12-13.
    sac09_spectator_gallegly_6564.jpg
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_0939.tif
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_0821.tif
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_0729.tif
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_0655.tif
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_1158.tif
  • North American B-25J Mitchell bomber, "God and Country"<br />
<br />
God And Country  is a “J” Model North American B-25 Mitchell, and was built in 1944 at North American's Kansas City plant and was accepted for service in the AAF in early 1945 which was too late to see combat.  She came out of storage in 1946,  and beginning in 1949, served as VIP transport in the new US Air Force until 1958 when she experienced a gear-up landing and was declared as salvage. <br />
<br />
She was bought in 1962 by Tallmantz Aviation of Long Beach, CA and began the next chapter of her life as a photo ship for Hollywood.  Pacific Prowler has participated in over 80 Hollywood feature films including:<br />
  Catch 22 <br />
  Around The World in 80 Days <br />
  For Whom The Bell Tolls <br />
  Disney's 360 Degree 'Circle Vision' movies<br />
<br />
In the 1960s, this plane flew to all four corners of the world to film the Seven Wonders Of The World at low level for Disney Studios for use in their 360 degree videos as seen at the Disney Parks.  In the mid-1980s she was sold to Universal Aviation and was operated by Aces High in the UK (as 'Dolly') - being employed specifically to film The Memphis Belle in 1989.  She retired from movie-work in the mid-1990s and went into a serious restoration period.  In 1996, while owned by World Jet of Florida, her camera nose was removed and the traditional military nose replaced From 1996 to 1999 she only flew 60 hours, mostly to air shows as "Girls Rule".   By the early 2000s she was renamed "Top Secret", and under the operation of 99th Street Inc. of San Antonio, TX, she hardly flew at all; rather, she languished in disrepair in a falling down hangar.  In late 2002/early 2003, Jim Terry purchased the aircraft and renamed her "Pacific Prowler". The plane spent the first several months in Tulsa OK, where students at the Tulsa Tech Center and volunteers got the plane airworthy.  For the next 10 years, Pacific Prowler flew the airshow circuit flying just over 1,000 hours while being based in Ft. Worth TX.
    MAFM17_TVR_B25_Mitchell_0760.tif
  • Bob Hoover at the Eagle Hangar
    osh09_hoover_9735.jpg
  • AJ111, BuNo 159600 was delivered as a block 85 F-14A model to the US Navy on 16 July 1975. Initial assignments were to train nugget Tomcat crews in both the east and west coast Fleet Readiness Squadrons; VF-124 Gunfighters at NAS Miramar and VF-101 Grim Reapers at NAS Oceana. In 1987, 159600 transferred to the fleet, serving, in order, with VF-142 Ghostriders, VF-14 Tophatters and again with VF-142 Ghostriders with at NAS Oceana.<br />
<br />
In the early 1990's, 159600 would be at NADEP Norfolk undergoing remanufacture into an F-14D(R). Emerging in 1994 as the fifth remanufactured D model Tomcat, 159600 would rejoin the fleet in 1994 with VF-2 Bounty Hunters at NAS Miramar. During this tour, NAS Miramar transferred to the Marine Corps and 159600 and the rest of the VF-2 Bounty Hunters relocated to NAS Oceana. In 2003, 159600 once more serve in Fleet Readiness Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers. The following year, 159600 would be assigned to VF-31 Tomcatters where she would remain until the Tomcat's retirement in September 2006.<br />
<br />
While participating in the Tomcat's final cruise from September 2005 to March 2006, 159600 would suffer a structural failure. During routine maintenance a bulkhead would blow out and she would spend most of the next few months in the hangar, earning her the nickname "Christine". Eventually 159600 would be repaired. Once returned to flight status 159600 would become a squadron workhorse for the remainder of the deployment, a testament to both her Grumman "Ironworks" legacy and the fine men and women who have maintained the F-14 Tomcat. After more than 30 years of service, F-14D(R) 159600 would finish her career with the singular distinction of being the longest serving F-14 Tomcat in the US Navy's inventory, and proudly earn the right to claim "Anytime, Baby"!
    cvn71_vf31_111_5821.jpg
  • AJ111, BuNo 159600 was delivered as a block 85 F-14A model to the US Navy on 16 July 1975. Initial assignments were to train nugget Tomcat crews in both the east and west coast Fleet Readiness Squadrons; VF-124 Gunfighters at NAS Miramar and VF-101 Grim Reapers at NAS Oceana. In 1987, 159600 transferred to the fleet, serving, in order, with VF-142 Ghostriders, VF-14 Tophatters and again with VF-142 Ghostriders with at NAS Oceana.<br />
<br />
In the early 1990's, 159600 would be at NADEP Norfolk undergoing remanufacture into an F-14D(R). Emerging in 1994 as the fifth remanufactured D model Tomcat, 159600 would rejoin the fleet in 1994 with VF-2 Bounty Hunters at NAS Miramar. During this tour, NAS Miramar transferred to the Marine Corps and 159600 and the rest of the VF-2 Bounty Hunters relocated to NAS Oceana. In 2003, 159600 once more serve in Fleet Readiness Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers. The following year, 159600 would be assigned to VF-31 Tomcatters where she would remain until the Tomcat's retirement in September 2006.<br />
<br />
While participating in the Tomcat's final cruise from September 2005 to March 2006, 159600 would suffer a structural failure. During routine maintenance a bulkhead would blow out and she would spend most of the next few months in the hangar, earning her the nickname "Christine". Eventually 159600 would be repaired. Once returned to flight status 159600 would become a squadron workhorse for the remainder of the deployment, a testament to both her Grumman "Ironworks" legacy and the fine men and women who have maintained the F-14 Tomcat. After more than 30 years of service, F-14D(R) 159600 would finish her career with the singular distinction of being the longest serving F-14 Tomcat in the US Navy's inventory, and proudly earn the right to claim "Anytime, Baby"!
    fallon05_f14_vf31_111_2152a.jpg
  • AJ111, BuNo 159600 was delivered as a block 85 F-14A model to the US Navy on 16 July 1975. Initial assignments were to train nugget Tomcat crews in both the east and west coast Fleet Readiness Squadrons; VF-124 Gunfighters at NAS Miramar and VF-101 Grim Reapers at NAS Oceana. In 1987, 159600 transferred to the fleet, serving, in order, with VF-142 Ghostriders, VF-14 Tophatters and again with VF-142 Ghostriders with at NAS Oceana.<br />
<br />
In the early 1990's, 159600 would be at NADEP Norfolk undergoing remanufacture into an F-14D(R). Emerging in 1994 as the fifth remanufactured D model Tomcat, 159600 would rejoin the fleet in 1994 with VF-2 Bounty Hunters at NAS Miramar. During this tour, NAS Miramar transferred to the Marine Corps and 159600 and the rest of the VF-2 Bounty Hunters relocated to NAS Oceana. In 2003, 159600 once more serve in Fleet Readiness Squadron VF-101 Grim Reapers. The following year, 159600 would be assigned to VF-31 Tomcatters where she would remain until the Tomcat's retirement in September 2006.<br />
<br />
While participating in the Tomcat's final cruise from September 2005 to March 2006, 159600 would suffer a structural failure. During routine maintenance a bulkhead would blow out and she would spend most of the next few months in the hangar, earning her the nickname "Christine". Eventually 159600 would be repaired. Once returned to flight status 159600 would become a squadron workhorse for the remainder of the deployment, a testament to both her Grumman "Ironworks" legacy and the fine men and women who have maintained the F-14 Tomcat. After more than 30 years of service, F-14D(R) 159600 would finish her career with the singular distinction of being the longest serving F-14 Tomcat in the US Navy's inventory, and proudly earn the right to claim "Anytime, Baby"!
    fallon05_f14_vf31_111_2167.jpg
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