5. Flying Iranian Tomcats

* * * Update: While some viewers challenge the veracity of our guest, we stand by him. * * *

Most people familiar with the F-14 know Iran was the only country outside the US to operate the big fighter, but they likely know little of the Persian Cat otherwise. This candid interview with a former Iranian Tomcat pilot takes viewers where few have gone: inside the Iranian F-14 program.

We hide the identity of our guest for his personal security, but we get the full story of his experience: his selection for Tomcats, what he thought of his instructors, the condition of the aircraft and facilities, and even some war stories. He talks about practice intercepts with the MiG-25, use of the F-14 as a “mini-AWACS,” and attitudes toward external threats such as American and Israeli forces.

We avoid political issues but as the interview progresses, our guest says he cannot talk about the military forces without touching on certain political aspects--and his revelations are surprising.