Pentagon Halts Sale Of F-14 Parts

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 1-30-2007 | Sharon Theimer

[blam]

Pentagon Halts Sale of F-14 Parts

Tuesday January 30, 2007 11:31 PM

By SHARON THEIMER

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon said Tuesday it had halted sales of spare parts from its recently retired F-14 fighter jet fleet, even as lawmakers pledged tougher oversight of the military's surplus sales to stop buyers for Iran and other countries from acquiring gear.

Sales of F-14 parts were suspended last Friday pending a comprehensive review, said Defense Logistics Agency spokesman Jack Hooper said.

``It was the prudent thing to do,'' he said.

The review will examine Pentagon policy for handling the spare parts and determine what should be done with them ``in light of the current situation with Iran,'' Hooper said. Iran, currently at odds with the United States and other countries over its suspected nuclear weapons program, among other issues, is the only nation still flying the F-14 Tomcat.

The decision drew immediate praise from Congress.

``This is an appropriate and necessary short-term step to solving this problem,'' said Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., a longtime critic of security gaps in Pentagon surplus sales. The Defense Department, he said, ``needs a comprehensive review of its entire surplus sales operation to ensure that we aren't arming our own adversaries, selling them equipment we still need at bargain prices.''

The Pentagon's move followed a report by The Associated Press this month on the F-14 surplus sales plans. An AP investigation found buyers for Iran, China and other countries had exploited gaps in sales security to get their hands on sensitive military equipment. The purchases included parts for the F-14 and other aircraft and missile components. Law enforcement officials say that in at least one case the contraband made it to Iran.

[bnelson44]

bureaucrats need to start using their brains for a change.

[middie]

The Iran F-14 squadron is incapable of keeping aircraft generated. First, the aircraft is built only to accomodate the rails for the Phoenix missile, that's the sole purpose for its existence. Second, keeping the ''A'' model flying (that's what Iran has) is a huge chore when the ground crews are well trained and have the spares. And, last, but not least,it becomes a static display absent the Phoenix, the rails, the spares and the dudes who turn the screws and torque the things that hold it together. Iran is in a world of hurt if they think their motley assemblege of 14s is going to generate any combat power. And, when you consider that time-in-type is a critical component of competency, they might as well plan to fly a 1917 Spad. I don't know the Iranian Order of Battle for their air arm (I've been out of that business too long), but they better have good 1 v 1 and tactical training to survive their first sortie.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Iran F-14 squadron is incapable of keeping aircraft generated. First, the aircraft is built only to accomodate the rails for the Phoenix missile, that's the sole purpose for its existence.

What have you been smokin'? In fact none of the Navy's F-14 kills against Libya were achieved with the Phoenix; three were with AIM-9s and one was with an AIM-7. Below you see an AIM-9 and AIM-7 on the starboard pylon.

Below you see a Tomcat with an AIM-120 on the port pylon.

Here is a link to a grainy photo of an IRIAF F-14 with a modified Hawk missile on its port pylon.

I won't get into the fact that the Tomcat was designed from the get go to haul iron bombs.

Next time, do your homework.