 |
||||||
|
HOME
|
US Navy -
ships
|
US Navy - air
units
|
USMC - air
units
|
International
Navies
|
Weapon Systems
|
Special Reports |
||||||
|
US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 102
(STRKFITRON 102) VFA-102 'Diamondbacks' |
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
| images | ||||||
 F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2024  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2022  VFA-102 returning to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) over Mount Fuji, Japan - January 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at Kadena Air Base, Japan - January 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at Kadena Air Base, Japan - January 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2019  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2019  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at MCAS Iwakuni Air Show - May 2019  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) - Iwo To, Japan - May 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) - Iwo To, Japan - May 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornets (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) with an Australian KC-30A tanker aircraft - July 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - June 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at Iwo To (Iwo Jima) Island, Japan - May 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at Iwo To (Iwo Jima) Island, Japan - May 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - May 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - May 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - June 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - May 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - November 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) takes fuel from a F/A-18E of VFA-27 - August 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - June 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - November 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) leaving USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) for the last time - August 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - April 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornets (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) with an Indian Navy Sea Harrier - September 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - July 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - July 2007  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - December 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - November 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - September 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at NAF Atsugi, Japan - May 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - May 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) at NAF Atsugi, Japan - December 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - November 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - November 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - November 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - October 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - October 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - August 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - July 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - April 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - February 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - February 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - February 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - February 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - September 2003  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2003  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2003  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2003  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-102) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - February 2003 |
||||||
|
History: Then designated Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102), the DIAMONDBACKS of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) were established on July 1, 1955 in Jacksonville, Florida. The first aircraft to carry the distinctive DIAMONDBACK markings was the McDonnell F2H Banshee, a twin-engine fighter-bomber with four 20 mm internal cannons. The DIAMONDBACKS’ inaugural deployment took place onboard the USS RANDOLPH (CV 15) in July 1956. After this deployment, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas F-4D-1 Skyray. This aircraft carried the new AIM-9B Sidewinder missile in addition to internal cannons. The squadron's outstanding performance in the Skyray resulted in their entry into the 1958 “All Navy Weapons Meet.” After a final deployment with the Skyray onboard the USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) in 1960, the DIAMONDBACKS moved to NAS Oceana, Virginia and transitioned to the F-4B Phantom. The Mach 2 capable, two seat aircraft consisted of a pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) and carried only air-to-air missiles. This marked the beginning of a 20 year association with the Phantom. Highlights of this period include participation in Operation SEA ORBIT, the first Nuclear Task Force circumnavigation onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), winner of the Battle Efficiency (“E”) Award in 1964 and 1966, combat operations off the coast of Vietnam in 1968, a Meritorious Unit Citation in 1970 for the Jordanian Crisis Deployment and cross deck operations onboard the H.M.S. ROYAL in 1975 and 1978. The DIAMONDBACKS bade farewell to the Phantom in June of 1981 and transitioned to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat. The Tomcat’s design provided the pilot and RIO with a formidable air-to-air radar and weapons system. The long range AWG-9 radar and its multiple track, multiple launch capable AIM-54 Phoenix missile system, AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and the six-barreled 20 mm cannon comprised the Tomcat’s weapons suite. With the addition of the Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod and the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) to the Tomcat, the DIAMONDBACKS added the strike and tactical aerial photo reconnaissance missions to their traditional fighter role. In March of 1986, the DIAMONDBACKS departed Oceana onboard the USS AMERICA (CV 66) and headed directly for the Gulf of Sidra. The DIAMONDBACKS will long remember the operations below the so called "Line of Death," especially our part in the history making raid on the 15th of April, 1986. In the fall of 1990, VF-102 completed an accelerated work-up phase and deployed in late December to the Red Sea as part of Operation DESERT SHIELD. Two days after entering the Red Sea, the DIAMONDBACKS began flying strikes into Baghdad and other strategic targets in Iraq. VF-102 logged more than 1,400 combat hours during the six-week campaign, flying a variety of missions from both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. In 1992, VF-102 and the F-14 Tomcat entered the critical air-to-ground mission area thus solidifying the DIAMONDBACKS’ role as a strike fighter squadron and leading the way into the 21st century. The DIAMONDBACKS transitioned to the F-14B Tomcat in 1994 and were the winner of another Battle “E” in 1995. In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001, the DIAMONDBACKS departed NAS Oceana onboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). VF-102 arrived on station in the Arabian Sea in mid-October and flew combat missions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During that deployment, VF-102 flew 3,346 combat hours and dropped 645 bombs against enemy Taliban forces. The DIAMONDBACKS were awarded a Navy Unit Commendation and the Battle “E” Award for 2001. Upon returning home, the DIAMONDBACKS began the transition to their current platform, the FA-18F Super Hornet. Over the next two years, the DIAMONDBACKS, newly re-designated as VFA-102, moved from NAS Oceana to NAS Lemoore, participated in work-ups at NAF Key West and NAS Fallon and successfully trained twenty-two nugget aircrew in the latest strike fighter tactics. Armed with the FA-18F’s potent new sensor capabilities and digital architecture, the DIAMONDBACKS were now able to employ almost every weapon in the U.S. Navy’s inventory. In November 2003, VFA-102 set out on a trans-Pacific flight and executed a change in homeport to NAF Atsugi, becoming the first forward deployed Super Hornet squadron. Over the last 18 years, VFA-102, as part of Carrier Air Wing FIVE and Task Force SEVEN ZERO, has been a persistent presence in the western Pacific. Initially deploying aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), VFA-102 routinely executes annual six-to-eight month deployments focusing on joint and multi-national exercises, such as KEEN SWORD, TALISMAN SABRE and VALIANT SHIELD, as well as participating in numerous humanitarian relief efforts around the Pacific. Notably, in 2013 aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73, VFA-102 along with other assets from CTF-70 provided humanitarian aid and disaster relief as a part of Operation DAMIYAN following hurricane Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines. In 2018, VFA-102 saw another change in scenery as they conducted a Permanent Duty Station (PDS) shift to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCASI), Japan working alongside their Marine counterparts in the Yamaguchi prefecture. While the homeport, aircraft and personnel of the DIAMONDBACKS have continually changed over the years, their mission has not. We, the men and women of VFA-102, will continue to train and are standing ready to bring the full combat power of the Rhino to bear and enhance stability in the Pacific through strength, cooperation and presence. source: VFA-102 website |
||||||
| patches + more | ||||||
  |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
seaforces.org
|
US Navy
Air Units start page
| |