The Tomcat was retired by U.S. Navy on 22 September 2006, having been supplanted by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Several retired F-14s have been put on display across the US. The F-14 remains in service with Iran's air force, having been exported to Iran under the Pahlavi regime in 1976.

Does the Navy still use the F-14 Tomcat?

The US Navy operated 338 F-14 aircraft of all three variants, but the aircraft was replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In July 2006, the F-14 made its last carrier launch and, on 22 September 2006, the US Navy officially retired the F-14 Tomcat. The F-14 is currently in service with Iran Air Force.

Why did the Navy retire the Tomcat?

Ultimately, the F-14 Tomcat was retired in favor of the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, which may not possess the same dogfighting tenacity of the F-14, but are far better suited for the sorts of air-to-ground operations that have dominated America's combat operations for decades.