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#370443 - 08/07/05 08:00 PM Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Tomcat84 Offline
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Hey fellas, I'm currently in the US working as a counselor at a summer camp for kids, one more week to go before camp ends and then I have a few weeks to travel around.

First I'm going to California but at the end of my trip I will stop by Norfolk and Virginia Beach for like 2/3 days. So I'm planning to visit NAS Oceana on August 31st. I have seen on the Oceana website that there are base tours leaving virginia beach every day.

So I'm wondering if anyone here knows if there will be any Tomcat squads around at the time? (VF-213, VF-31 or VF-32 are the only options nowadays i guess?)

Can I expect to see any Tomcats flying on weekdays? And in addition, has anyone taken the basetour and knows if you ever get out of the tour bus and walk around a bit or are you stuck inside the bus the whole time?

Finally, is there anyone here who is based at Oceana and can give me a REAL tour so i could say goodbye to the Tomcats? \:\)

I know you will say, just go to the airshow two weeks later but unfortunately i HAVE to be back in the Netherlands by then. I wont be able to come to the US anymore before the Tomcats are retired so this is my last chance to see em fly.

Thanks for any info you can provide me. In addition, does anyone know if there will be any carriers in Norfolk? (since i'll visit there August 30).

thanks thanks thanks

Boris (Tomcat freak for live from the Netherlands in europe)


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#370444 - 08/07/05 08:06 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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BlackMage11 Offline
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Oceana is under the knife for BRAC, I believe.


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#370445 - 08/07/05 10:38 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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#370446 - 08/07/05 10:43 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Yes, you'll see the Tomcats flying. You better hurry though cause the -213 and -31 are due out to the last cruise.

the VF-32 still have their planes so they'll probably be still flying until the transition comes along.


RE: BRAC

Oceana has been on the list before. I don't think it will close IMHO. Congress and the Pentagon are holding their ground on it. There are so much politics and unethical practices going on from a state that can't count 'chads'! \:\)

#370447 - 08/08/05 12:19 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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BlackMage11 Offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by Julian Data:
Yes, you'll see the Tomcats flying. You better hurry though cause the -213 and -31 are due out to the last cruise.

the VF-32 still have their planes so they'll probably be still flying until the transition comes along.


RE: BRAC

Oceana has been on the list before. I don't think it will close IMHO. Congress and the Pentagon are holding their ground on it. There are so much politics and unethical practices going on from a state that can't count 'chads'! \:\)
Oi! I smell some SS going on. We would love to have your planes at NAS Cecil. Shush, Data!

~BM


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#370448 - 08/08/05 06:07 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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VF-213, VF-31, and VF-32 are the active squadrons there, although VF-32 is the latest in transition so I don't know how much flying you'll see form them (they recently repainted one of their F-14s in retro 70s scheme for the decom). VF-101 is there too but they graduated their last Tomcat crew in April. They are only doing refreshers and quals now, but may fly here and there. They disestablish before Neptune...

The only carrier I know is in NOrfolk right now is GW and she's in drydock. There amy be others but I am haven't been following it...

v6,
boNes


"Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
#370449 - 08/09/05 07:10 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Hi Tomcat,

A friend of mine lives right next to NAS Oceana and he says there are only a few F-14's flying these days. He said he's been out there watching the planes and only saw 2 or 3 F-14's on a given day.

But maybe if you're lucky you will see some flying. I suggest just go. There will be plenty of planes flying, however these days the majority is F-18's. But you'll still see plenty of action. Oceana is one of the busiest military airbases in the US.

VF-31 and VF-213 are about to go on cruise in September I think. Maybe they will still be there. VF-32 still has some F-14's but have started turning in their jets.

I read somewhere that you have to stay in the bus for the base tour.

I hope this helps.

#370450 - 08/18/05 06:00 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Ironroad Offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by BlackMage11:
Quote:
Originally posted by Julian Data:
Yes, you'll see the Tomcats flying. You better hurry though cause the -213 and -31 are due out to the last cruise.

the VF-32 still have their planes so they'll probably be still flying until the transition comes along.


RE: BRAC


Oceana has been on the list before. I don't think it will close IMHO. Congress and the Pentagon are holding their ground on it. There are so much politics and unethical practices going on from a state that can't count 'chads'! \:\)
Oi! I smell some SS going on. We would love to have your planes at NAS Cecil. Shush, Data!

~BM
Hey, Virginia won your hornets fair and square so you are not getting them back \:D

#370451 - 08/18/05 08:50 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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BlackMage11 Offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ironroad:
Quote:
Originally posted by BlackMage11:
Quote:
Originally posted by Julian Data:
Yes, you'll see the Tomcats flying. You better hurry though cause the -213 and -31 are due out to the last cruise.

the VF-32 still have their planes so they'll probably be still flying until the transition comes along.


RE: BRAC


Oceana has been on the list before. I don't think it will close IMHO. Congress and the Pentagon are holding their ground on it. There are so much politics and unethical practices going on from a state that can't count 'chads'! \:\)
Oi! I smell some SS going on. We would love to have your planes at NAS Cecil. Shush, Data!

~BM
Hey, Virginia won your hornets fair and square so you are not getting them back \:D
In the words of Jimmy Buffett, "We ain't stealin, we're just takin back!"


SimHQ's Resident Distributor of Ownage
#370452 - 08/21/05 02:46 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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I was down at NAS Oceana a month ago as well as for the homecoming of CVW-3. VF-32 does have 9 birds of which one has been painted in the scheme mentioned above by Bones. Rumor has it that this aircraft may be flying the last F-14 demo (aside from Iran) and there may be a VF-32 formation. I did have a friend take me to see Fentress but the F14s were not active at the time. VF-101 only had two aircraft operational (one in the 1970s style VF101 scheme). I talked to three of my friends who were at NTU this week and VF-213 and VF-31 were doing FCLPs at NALF Fentress.

One sad note, we were able to talk to a VFA106 pilot who had just made his solo in a F18E but we noticed that there were two VF-101 birds in a sad state and plenty of old TF-30s and GE-110s around. But it was cool to see so many practice gear around, lots of mk76s, mk83s and even a captive SLAM-ER! What was also a treat was that there was a TAV-8B and five MH-60s from the 160 SOAR on the TLine. This year's NTU airshow is a must see for the last F14 airshow appearance.


Raven21
#370453 - 08/23/05 03:50 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Raven,

It looks liek you gto to see some really cool choice stuff!

Are you going to Neptune this year? If so, I'll see you there? I'll actually be there a little early as I am attending VF-101's decommissioning ceremony the day before. It will be a sad day!

v6,
boNes


"Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
#370454 - 08/24/05 02:01 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Tomcat84 Offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by bones:
as I am attending VF-101's decommissioning ceremony the day before. It will be a sad day!

v6,
boNes
boNes, how do you get to attend all the cool stuff? \:\)

(actually i should probably rephrase that since it aint cool at all that VF-101 is going \:\( but i guess you know what i mean!)

\:\)


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#370455 - 08/24/05 01:27 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tomcat84:
Quote:
Originally posted by bones:
as I am attending VF-101's decommissioning ceremony the day before. It will be a sad day!

v6,
boNes
boNes, how do you get to attend all the cool stuff? \:\)

(actually i should probably rephrase that since it aint cool at all that VF-101 is going \:\( but i guess you know what i mean!)

\:\)
I guess I just happen to know people and am very active in the Tomcat community to boot. Guess it's my way to make up for my botched attempt at becoming a RIO.

BTW, I made a special license plate frame for my car to "wear" at the ceremony. SOme of you may remember that it used to say "My Other Car is an F-14D Tomcat." NOw it has this statement, in lieu of the Tomcat RAG closing its doors:





v6,
boNes


"Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
#370456 - 08/24/05 08:11 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Hey Bones,

Is your 'other half' coming as well?

I'll see you on Thursday during the day, if not, hopefully at the O'club. \:\)

#370457 - 09/02/05 08:47 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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The World
Quote:
Originally posted by BlackMage11:
Quote:
Originally posted by Ironroad:
Quote:
Originally posted by BlackMage11:
quote:
Originally posted by Julian Data:
Yes, you'll see the Tomcats flying. You better hurry though cause the -213 and -31 are due out to the last cruise.

the VF-32 still have their planes so they'll probably be still flying until the transition comes along.


RE: BRAC


Oceana has been on the list before. I don't think it will close IMHO. Congress and the Pentagon are holding their ground on it. There are so much politics and unethical practices going on from a state that can't count 'chads'! \:\)
Oi! I smell some SS going on. We would love to have your planes at NAS Cecil. Shush, Data!

~BM
Hey, Virginia won your hornets fair and square so you are not getting them back \:D
In the words of Jimmy Buffett, "We ain't stealin, we're just takin back!"
For Virginia to keep the Oceana Master Jet Base open, they have to buy up 1,800 homes and businesses that have encroached into the pattern area of the base or the Base will be closed.

The USN has also told Virgina politicians that even if they do this, they will not guarantee the base will still be in operation in 5 years...


Additionally Virginia and Oceana do not have the funds available to do this, just about sealing Ocean's fate... \:\(


CAG out...


Retired TSH Developer/Member

Retired Contributing editor to Sim-News.com

#370458 - 09/03/05 08:40 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Hey Bones,

My friends and I will all be down there.Here's our page on VF-32 and the rest of CVW-3 coming in this spring. Free photos boys, enjoy and above all, tell us what you think.

Raven

http://www.glidepathphotography.com/cvw-3.htm


Raven21
#370459 - 09/03/05 08:58 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Very nice!


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#370460 - 09/04/05 01:42 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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RavenTwoOne Offline
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Thanks Doc. Word as of tonight is that both the F18F and F14B will be doing night demos Friday (kntu) and Saturday (beach). I was also told that there would be an S3 Tactical Demo. We got screwed this year at Willow Grove, the French needed tanker support and it conflicted with the Topcat's certification.


Raven21
#370461 - 09/04/05 02:28 AM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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both planes are doing the 'beach blast' as well? Am I reading that correctly?

I wonder who's going to go lower? \:\)

The F14 last year went really low as it flew over my head.

#370462 - 09/05/05 03:29 PM Re: Tomcats at Oceana ?  
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Had a private base tour of Oceana NAS yesterday - via best friend's son who is stationed there.

Wow! It was special!

Saw the pilot's briefing rooms, ready rooms, and the bolted door where Ernie's bones lie behind..

Got a look in the cockpit of an F/A-18...he freaked out that knew what most switches were for :-)

The view from the tower was awesome...all those 18's parked. Several 14D's (and older models) too.

After that he asked if I wanted to see the F18 simulator....almost fainted...but he couldn't make that happen.

A great day for me!

BTW, I have a picture of the F-14 in the retro 70's scheme - Beautiful!... If I can figure out how to post it I will.

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