Northrop Grumman F-14 Tomcat

The F-14 Tomcat is a very versatile fighter jet that came into use with the United States Navy in 1972. Its variable sweep wings and tail-fins made it easily recognizable. The wings are set at 20 degrees at take off and landing, but change to 68 degrees for supersonic flying.

The F-14 is armed with one General Electric Vulcan M61A-1 20mm gun and can be equipped to carry up to 8 air-to-air missiles (AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow, or AIM-9 Sidewinder) or air-to-ground ordinance in any assortment. The Tomcat is capable of engaging six different targets simultaneously. It is a two man fighter with seats for the pilot and radio intercept officer.

F-14 Tomcat in Action

The primary role of the F-14 Tomcat was air superiority and air defense of fleet ships of the US Navy. It was also used for precision strikes against ground targets.

The F-14 saw limited action in the Vietnam War, only participating in one deployment aboard the USS Enterprise from September 17, 1974 to May 20, 1975. The Tomcat flew combat air patrols over Vietnam as part of Operation Frequent Wind, but did not shoot down any enemy aircraft.

The Tomcat has since seen action over Libya, Lebanon and participated in the wars in the Persian Gulf. When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the F-14 flew missions over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Several versions of the F-14 were produced with each subsequent version incorporating technological upgrades. The F-14D Super Tomcat entered service in 1991. The F-14D was powered by two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofan engines with afterburning turbofans and can carry four Joint Direct Attack Munitions or JDAM’s. It was capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.

Tomcat in Hollywood

The F-14 Tomcat flew into the mainstream media with the release of the 1986 blockbuster film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise. The F-14 was the primary aircraft used in the film while Cruise and the other stars flew their way in the hearts of the American public.

The F-14 was also featured in the 1980 film The Final Countdown and has appeared in numerous video games, movies and television series.

Retirement of the Tomcat

The last combat mission of the F-14 took place on February 8, 2006 when the USS Theodore Roosevelt recovered a Tomcat for the final time. The F-14 was officially retired from service on September 22, 2006 and was replaced by the F-18 Super Hornet.

Sources:

Air Force Technology Retrieved on 8/17/09.

US Navy Retrieved on 8/17/09.

Aetna Medicare Insurance Plans

Original Medicare, which is composed of Parts A and B, is administered by the U.S. government (specifically by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], which falls under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services).

Beneficiaries of Original Medicare, who receive base health insurance coverage from CMS, have the option of purchasing additional, supplemental coverage from private insurance companies (such as Humana and Aetna, two of the largest private providers).

Aetna Medicare plans offer a spectrum of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and supplemental Medigap policies. This article presents the range of options available.

Aetna Medicare Part D Plans

Medicare Part D is a supplemental policy beneficiaries can purchase from private insurers which adds additional prescription drug coverage. Also known as Prescription Drug Plans (PDP), Aetna Medicare Part D plans offer the following general benefits:

• a network of over 60,000 pharmacies
• coverage for the majority of Part D drugs
• no deductible in most plans
• consistent copayments

Aetna Medicare insurance offers three different Aetna Medicare Part D plans, which are listed below from the most basic to the most advanced:

• Aetna Medicare Rx Essentials® Plan – under this basic plan, beneficiaries have access to discounted pricing for a range of prescription drugs not covered by Original Medicare;
• Aetna Medicare Rx Plus® Plan – under this plan, beneficiaries receive discounts on prescription drugs, gain enhanced coverage for generic Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates, and have no deductible for prescription drugs;
• Aetna Medicare Rx Premier® Plan – under this plan, beneficiaries receive discounted prescriptions drugs, access to coverage for generic Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates, are not responsible for deductibles on prescriptions drugs, and have access to unlimited coverage on generic drugs.

It is advisable to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan earlier rather than later (if possible), as this avoids potential late enrollment fees, and protects against the sudden need for drug coverage.

Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans are basically enhanced Original Medicare plans sold by private insurers. In addition to providing Part A and B coverage, such plans often add other coverages, such as prescription drug coverage, vision, dental, hearing, and a host of other services.

Aetna Medicare insurance offers four Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan choices, listed below from the most basic to the most advanced:

• Aetna Medicare Plan (HMO) – under this plan, beneficiaries see doctors within the company's large network. Benefits include predictable copayments, coverage for most prescription drugs, no copays for preventative care, and limited vision and hearing coverage;
• Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO) – under this plan, beneficiaries receive all of the HMO coverages, with the added benefit of being able to see medical professional outside of the company's network at low costs. This means that there is no requirement to select a single primary care physician (though rates are lower for those who do);
• Aetna Medicare OpenSM Plan (PFFS) – in addition to the benefits of the PPO plan, this fee-for-service plan gives beneficiaries the freedom to seek care at any medical facility without any network limitations. This gives recipients access to seek care anywhere in the United States which accepts Medicare;
• Aetna Medicare Dual Advantage Plan (SNP) – this Special Needs Plan is designed only for those beneficiaries who have unique coverage needs, and thus are eligible for state Medicaid insurance.

In addition to the policies listed above, the company also offers an Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan which adds Aetna Medicare Part D into a single policy.

Aetna Medicare Insurance Supplemental Plans (Medigap)

Aetna Medicare insurance offers additional supplemental plans which are only available in certain states at this time. These plans are intended to bridge some of the gaps left by Original Medicare coverage, and are available for eligible beneficiaries. The plans vary by state.

For specifics on the supplemental plans, or for more information on any of the plans above or other Medicare plans, click on any of the Medicare links. For more information specifically on Aetna's plans, reference the company's website, from which the information for this article was gleaned.