Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JHB

(38,238 posts)
29. That was the F-14 (think Top Gun), not the F-15s
Sun Apr 5, 2026, 11:00 AM
Sunday

And part of that was because the only other country to have been sold F-14s was the Shah's Iran. Obviously, that 70's Cold War politics-driven decision didn't anticipate the revolution and a hostile Iran. As long as the F-14 was in service, there was the potential for a black market in parts for Iran.

This is part of the reason the Tomcats didn't get the modernization upgrades the other fighters of its generation did, and why, once retired, they didn't just sit in a boneyard, they were all shredded.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I've got a goddamn question [View all] Aviation Pro Sunday OP
4th generation is going to provide help and support for 5th generation. Irish_Dem Sunday #1
F-35s can't carry enough kinetics to hit all targets and remain stealthy. paleotn Sunday #18
Exactly, cheap seats are the mules. Irish_Dem Sunday #19
Yes, of course that was what this was all about. OhioBack2Blue Sunday #2
If they really cared about the troops there would be no war. We can't have that. Srkdqltr Sunday #3
I'm so old I remember 'support the troops!' but have seen enough to know the truth is Attilatheblond Sunday #27
I have a gd question too. Air superiority. jimmy the one Sunday #4
But the airspace around them was being monitored by AWACS. Oh, wait.... TheRickles Sunday #5
Air space, not the ground so much. That's the problem. paleotn Sunday #21
I swear I remember them being retired and the F-18 taking over most of its duties. BootinUp Sunday #6
The F-18 is a carrier borne attack / fighter JohnnyRingo Sunday #8
Kinda the same reason Canada purchased the F-18 for flying over the vast empty north. Swede Sunday #9
Yes, but the newer F-35 used by AF, Navy & Marines has a single engine thought crime Sunday #24
I didn't know the Navy was using the new generation fighter planes. JohnnyRingo Sunday #37
That was the F-14 (think Top Gun), not the F-15s JHB Sunday #29
I recall the reluctance to deploy the B2 and the F117 in Iraq. JohnnyRingo Sunday #7
I like your "Woke" avatar............ DFW Sunday #10
Have they shown the pilot yet? kentuck Sunday #11
Yup Farmer-Rick Sunday #12
Until they're shown on US or Iranian TV, they're probably still on the ground, evading capture. paleotn Sunday #15
Being from Missouri, that is generally my M.O. too, but with this Reality Show Administration Attilatheblond Sunday #32
Good point. paleotn Sunday #33
I believe the crewman was rescued and we'll probably be seeing some video soon thought crime Sunday #28
Thats wild. BradBo Sunday #13
Feels like the Package Q raid on Baghdad back in 1991 paleotn Sunday #14
Wasn't a B-52 heading over there? Or was that just a rumor? LeftInTX Sunday #23
B-52's have been in use for several days thought crime Sunday #26
Standoff only. Way far standoff. But you know Shitler wants to see 500 lb. dumb bombs streaming from their bomb bays paleotn Sunday #31
Hopefully the voices in his head aren't talking about nuclear weapons thought crime Sunday #35
Oh please god, no! paleotn Sunday #36
Heard that too. Supposedly in theater now. paleotn Sunday #30
Made for TV war. Remember there are two Hollywoods now, the one in CA, and the other in DC, RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Sunday #16
Did you forget that today is Easter? Polybius Sunday #17
Because the night before Trump said, "We've destroyed their air defense capabilities" LeftInTX Sunday #20
FYI, Stealth airplanes do not exist. It is a selling point so countries will spend $B's on airplanes. n/t Jacson6 Sunday #22
A big part of the reason we rely on the F-15 is the F-35 itself. That program has been a disaster if we are... Ol Janx Spirit Sunday #25
;-{) PLAN B Goonch Sunday #34
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I've got a goddamn questi...»Reply #29