Support this channel by using the SUPER THANKS (heart icon above) or by becoming a Patron at   / wardcarroll  

Buy one or all three of the books in the PUNK'S TRILOGY, Ward's popular first three novels about life a Tomcat squadron, at https://www.usni.org/punks-trilogy-re.... Use the PUNKYT discount code at checkout for 25% off to YouTube channel subscribers.

Get official channel gear at https://my-store-b7f9c9.creator-sprin...

Ward reviews the origins of the Navy's Fleet Air Defense mission requirement that led to the acquisition of the F-14 Tomcat and how the F/A-18 emerged from the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter program. He also goes into the factors that ultimately saw to the Tomcat's sunsetting and imagines what the modern carrier air wing would look like if SecDef Cheney had wanted the Super Tomcat over the Super Hornet.