Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 8:40:47 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Military Shreds Old Fighter Jets

Posted Jul 2, 07 5:32 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – The US military is paying a contractor to destroy its retired fleet of F-14 fighter jets, after evidence surfaced that Iran had been acquiring the old parts and was intending to rebuild the planes, reports the AP. “There were things getting to the bad guys,” the contractor says. In the 1970s, Iran--then an ally--bought the jets from the US.

Known as the Tomcat, the F-14 was immortalized in the Tom Cruise movie "Top Gun." The Pentagon is now requiring that scraps from the plane be scrutinized after demolition, to make sure nothing useful remains. One part that has proved too strong to be shredded is the landing gear, which must be cut by hand using a demolition torch.

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • US Readies 20,000 Troops Against Homeland Threats

    Dec 1, 08 9:41 AM CST
    US Readies 20,000 Troops Against Homeland Threats After years of planning, the military will have 20,000 troops stationed inside the US ready to handle domestic crises such as nuclear terrorism by 2011, the Washington Post reports. That’s almost seven times the number of domestic-response troops 5 years ago—a move that would have been “unbelievable” before 9/11, says a defense official. Critics worry that the assignment signals an executive-power expansion and undermines a 130-year-old law restricting domestic military deployment.



    More »

  • Russian Cyberattack Hits US Central Command

    Nov 28, 08 5:01 AM CST
    Russian Cyberattack Hits US Central Command Defense Department computers have been hit by a computer virus from Russia, Los Angeles Times reports. Malware has infected large parts of the military system, including Central Command systems and computers used in Iraq and Afghanistan combat zones. The military scrambled to stop the infection and banned the use of flash drives.
    More »

  • Pentagon Plans Afghan Surge of 20,000

    Nov 22, 08 2:24 AM CST
    Pentagon Plans Afghan Surge of 20,000 US commanders are drawing up plans to send an extra 20,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next 12 to 18 months, Reuters reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the surge will help reverse the rising violence in the country and safeguard elections planned for next fall. Commanders say the current NATO force in southern Afghanistan is overwhelmed by the growing Taliban insurgency.
    More »

  • Military Recruitment Up Amid Job Crisis

    Nov 19, 08 2:45 AM CST
    Military Recruitment Up Amid Job Crisis More young people are considering joining the military as civilian jobs dry up and the US begins to prepare plans to withdraw from Iraq, reports USA Today. After years of difficulty finding recruits, a Pentagon survey shows a jump from 9% to 11% in the number of 16- to 20-year-old  Americans planning to join the military.
    More »

  • Military Launches 'TroopTube'

    Nov 12, 08 3:28 AM CST
    Military Launches 'TroopTube' The Pentagon has opened an alternative internet site to YouTube for military personnel who are banned from using the popular video-sharing network, reports the San Francisco Business Times. The new "TroopTube" is an approved site where service men and woman and their families can post and view videos. Strict military standards will be enforced on the site, according to officials.
    More »

One of the mothballed F-14 Tomcat fighter jets at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Monday, June 11, 2007, in Tucson, Ariz., awaits demolition. The Defense Department is taking new security steps and paying...   (Associated Press)
Goose   ((c) Hot Rod Homepage)
Military Displays Hardware On National Mall   (Getty Images)
U.S. Fighter On Maneuvers   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Iran • US military • Pentagon • plane • fighter jet



Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Home Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »