#1748 VFA-102 F/A-18F Super Hornet print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1748 - 166917 '102', F/A-18F Super Hornet, VFA-102, CVW-5, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
Strike Fighter Squadron 102 has enjoyed a legacy of excellence since their establishment as VF-102 in Jacksonville, FL on 1 July, 1955. The first aircraft to carry the distinctive Diamondback markings was the McDonnell F2H Banshee. During their July 1956 inaugural deployment onboard USS RANDOLPH (CV 15), the squadron flew sorties in support of the Suez Crisis. Following that deployment, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray. Now carrying four 20mm cannons and the new AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, the Diamondbacks established themselves as a preeminent fighting force. After a final cruise with the Skyray onboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) in 1960, the squadron moved to NAS Oceana, Virginia and transitioned once again. In September 1961, the Diamondbacks began what would be a 21-year association with McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. During this time, the squadron would participate in operation SEA ORBIT, and fly operational sorties in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as the Jordanian crisis in the 1960s. The Diamondbacks would find themselves “on line” and close out the decade flying combat sorties in Vietnam. During the next decade, the squadron would deploy six more times to the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic Circle, and the North Sea. The Diamondbacks conducted carrier operations in support of numerous NATO exercises including a crossdeck to the HMS ARK ROYAL. While flying the Phantom, the squadron would earn a Meritorious Unit Commendation and win two Battle “E” awards for Excellence. In 1981, VF-102 transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat, a relationship that would also last 21 years and would see the Diamondbacks add the air-to-surface warfighting role to their mission set. Fully embracing the role as a multi-mission fighter aircraft, the Diamondbacks were poised to establish their dominance as a strike fighter. This came to fruition as the squadron flew combat sorties in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, DELIBERATE FORCE, and ENDURING FREEDOM. Their excellence in the Tomcat was rewarded with two Battle “E” awards, the Navy Unit Commendation, four Grand Slam awards, and the Clarence Wade McClusky award as the US Navy’s finest Strike Fighter Squadron. The sundown of the F-14 meant another move and yet another aircraft for the Diamondbacks. In 2002, the command redesignated to VFA-102, moved to NAS Lemoore, CA, and transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. With the transition complete in November 2003, the Diamondbacks moved across the Pacific to NAF Atsugi, Japan, joining Carrier Air Wing Five and the US Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces. The squadron has deployed every year since arriving in Japan and has earned Battle “E” awards in 2007 and 2009. In April 2018, the Diamondbacks made their most recent move to MCAS Iwakuni where they currently deploy aboard the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), strengthening established relationships, forging new partnerships, and maintaining a free and open Indo-pacific.
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