Tomcat Alley - a basevisit at NAS Oceana
 In
the dawn of the Tomcat age, Oceana has become the Mekka of
the F-14 fan community witht the airshow being the highlight
of the year.
NAS Ocena is the biggest airbase of the US Navy on the East
coast located not far away from Virginia beach. The day after
the NAS Oceana airshow I was shown around the airbase to get
an inside view of the normal life on the flightline there
and also had the possibilty to visit NS Norfolk.
 The
airbase host all the F/A-18 Hornet and F-14 Tomcat squadrons
of the carriers of the Atlantic Fleet while the carriers are
in the harbour. Furthermore it is the home of Hornet and Tomcat
training squadrons and the Navy Agressor unit, VFC-12 "Fighting
Omars", equipped with colorful F/A-18s.
 During
my stay VF-143 "Pukin Dogs", VF-32 "Swordsmen",
VF-101 "Grimreapers" and VF-213 "Black Lions"
have been on deck at Oceana.
When not on cruise, E-2C Hawkeyes, C-2 Greyhounds, the "COD"
(Carrier Onboard Delivery), and the helicopters are stationed
at NS Norfolk (NAS Norfolk has been absorbed by NS Norfolk
in 1998). NS Norfolk's main target is to supply the Altlantic
fleet and to conduct all the logistical work that comes with
it. If you are interested in seeing "the real stuff",
then there are usually 2-3 carriers in the harbour at Norfolk.
Thanks for the tour Kemo!
Tomcats on the flightline
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Maintenance Hangar
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Action on the runway
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