The F-14 TOMCAT was a supersonic, twin-engine fighter plane used by the United States Navy during the Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm. It was developed by Grumman Aerospace and first entered service in 1972. The F-14 was capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and was used for air superiority and fleet defense missions. It was retired from service in 2006.