F-14 TOMCAT JOINS REAGAN LIBRARY.Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer An F-14 Tomcat The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. The F-14 was the United States Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1974 to 2006. fighter jet was set in place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs on Monday in ceremonies marking an important milestone in construction of the Air Force One Pavilion, which is expected to open in the fall. Addressing a crowd of hundreds of guests, Rear Adm. David J David J. Haskins (b. April 24, 1957, in Northampton, England) is a British alternative rock musician. He was the bassist for the seminal gothic rock band Bauhaus. Life and work . Venlet said the Air Force One exhibit and others at the library and museum tell the story of President Reagan's legacy. ``It does a great job of highlighting the military's impact in the defense of freedom,'' said Venlet, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for action in the Gulf of Sidra Noun 1. Gulf of Sidra - wide inlet of the Mediterranean Sea on the north coast of Libya Mediterranean, Mediterranean Sea - the largest inland sea; between Europe and Africa and Asia , where he was aboard one of the F-14s that shot down two Libyan jets in 1981. Reagan built up U.S. military defenses during his two terms, 1981-90, which some historians credit for accelerating the breakup of the former Soviet Union. The F-14, the jet Tom Cruise's character flew in the film ``Top Gun,'' is a fighter pilot's dream machine, Venlet said. The Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. fighter was placed by a crane between the library's Peace Plaza and the new Air Force One Pavilion as a military band played ``Anchors Away.'' Two F-14 jets thundered overhead in a flyover to mark the occasion. Frederick J. Ryan Jr., chairman of the board of trustees board of trustees Politics The posse of thugs who oversee an institution's administration. See Board of directors. for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation, joked: ``I know that as we all watched we were thinking virtually the same thing: I hope they don't drop it.'' Officials brought the 40,000-pound jet by truck overnight from Point Mugu. At 10 a.m. it was hoisted over the museum buildings by a giant crane, and then lifted once more to the spot next to the library's Peace Plaza where it serves as a symbol of Reagan's Peace through Strength initiatives. ``It was really loud. I was surprised,'' said Elizabeth Becerra, 9, the daughter of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. City Councilman Glen Becerra, of the flyover by the two F-14s. She and her 7-year-old brother, Nicholas, said they loved visiting the library and that the best part of the event Monday was when the jet finally reached its destination. Rear Adm. Michael H. Miller Rear Admiral Michael H. Miller (b. 1952?, Minot, North Dakota) is a flag officer in the United States Navy, and was the first active-duty officer to direct the White House Military Office. also spoke to the crowd, lauding Reagan for restoring the nation's military strength and military moral. ``Peace through strength ... is what President Reagan bequeathed to all of us,'' said Miller, who is the Navy's commander of Carrier Strike Group Seven/Ronald Reagan Strike Group. Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks was one of the spectators Monday, saying he didn't want to miss what he considered a historic occasion. ``This (the Air Force One exhibit) is going to be a national attraction, and a real treasure for Ventura County,'' he said. Eric Leach, (805) 583-7602 eric.leach(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Navy Lt. James Carroll James Carroll can refer to:
Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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