Military Will Stop Sales of Surplus F-14 Aircraft Parts

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said yesterday it had stopped selling surplus F-14 aircraft parts after congressional criticism that security weaknesses had allowed Iran access to the parts and other gear.

Sales of parts from the recently retired fleet were halted last Friday, Defense Logistics Agency spokesman Jack Hooper said, adding that marketing of the parts will remain suspended until a "comprehensive review" is completed.

The decision comes as a Democratic senator moves to cut off all Pentagon sales of surplus F-14 parts, saying the military's marketing of the spares "defies common sense" in light of their importance to Iran.

Senator Wyden's bill came in response to an investigation by the Associated Press that found weaknesses in surplus-sale security that allowed buyers for countries including Iran and China to surreptitiously obtain sensitive American military equipment including Tomcat parts.