Topeka ? The two Navy officers climbed out of the F-14 Tomcat they had just landed at Forbes Field, talked to some spectators and then paused to do something unusual to the jet. They autographed it.

Lt. Cmdr. Marcell Padilla and Cmdr. Dave Asjes had just flown the fighter-bomber on its final mission, delivering it from Fallon Navy Base in Nevada to Forbes Field, where it will soon go on display in the Combat Air Museum.

The F-14 that pilot Padilla and radar intercept officer Asjes landed at Forbes Field was the last one based at Fallon, the rest having been sent to museums or aircraft graveyards.

Seven F-14 squadrons remain operating, some in combat, Padilla said. But the aircraft is scheduled to be retired in 2006.

The Tomcat landed at Forbes Field will go on display Nov. 3.