Phone: 0049 (0)30 315 700 0
- You are here:
- Books & Media
- Books
- Modern Armies
- America
-
Books & Media
- Novelties
- Offers
- Bestseller
-
Books
- Special offer – 30% off books
- Military History General
- Ancient
- Middle Ages
- 17th & 18th centuries
- Thirty Years War
- 1789-1815
- 1830-1914
- 1914-1932 (WW I)
- 1933-1945 (WW II)
- Modern Armies
- Naval
- Tanks
- Air Forces
- Civil Vehicles
- Weapons
- American
- Fortification
- Medals, Documents
- Secret Weapons
- Japan
- Modelling
- Railway
- Osprey
- Book series
- Second Hand Books
- Zeughaus Verlag
- Historical novels
- Comics
- Music, Movies
- Others
Descriptionof World Class. Diamond Backs. A Photo History of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102)
-
Manufacturer
Originally designated Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102), the DIAMONDBACKS of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) were established on 1 Jul 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 20mm internal cannons. The DIAMONDBACKS inaugural deployment took place on-board the USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), in Jul 1956. After this deployment, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas F4D-1 Skyray. In 1960, the DIAMONDBACKS moved to NAS Oceana, Virginia, and transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II. This marked the beginning of a 20-year association with the Phantom. In Jun 1981, the DIAMONDBACKS bade farewell to the Phantom and transitioned to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat. The Tomcats 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 and AIM-9 Sidewindermissiles, and the six-barrelled 20mm cannon, comprised the Tomcats weapons suite. With the addition to the Tomcat of the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) in 1982, the DIAMONDBACKS added the tactical aerial photo reconnaissance mission to their traditional fighter role. In 1992, VF-102 and the 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. In 1994, the DIAMONDBACKS transitioned to the re-engined F-14B and, with the installation of the Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod in 1998, they added the precision strike mission to their capabilities. In 2002, VF-102 was assigned to Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and transferred to NAS Lemoore, California to transition to the Navys newest strike fighter, the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. In March 2002, the DIAMONDBACKS were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102). After completion of the transition to the Super Hornet, VFA-102 moved across the Pacific to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, to join Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5), the Navys only forward deployed air wing and part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF). Since then, the DIAMONDBACKS were assigned respectively to the following FDNF carriers: USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).
Within these key points in time, this comprehensive volume, richly illustrated with photos, aircraft profiles and images of insignia, documents the entire operational history of the "Diamondbacks". In addition, the reader also receives a complete overview of the various aircraft types flown by the VF-102 "Diamondbacks" over the past 50 years: McDonnell F2H "Banshee", Douglas F4D-1 "Skyray", McDonnell Douglas F-4B "Phantom II", Grumman F-14A "Tomcat" and Boeing F/A-18F "Super Hornet". So this is not only a story about a U.S. Navy fighter squadron during and after the Cold War, but also a technical history of U.S. Navy carrier aircraft from the 1950s to the present day.
Within these key points in time, this comprehensive volume, richly illustrated with photos, aircraft profiles and images of insignia, documents the entire operational history of the "Diamondbacks". In addition, the reader also receives a complete overview of the various aircraft types flown by the VF-102 "Diamondbacks" over the past 50 years: McDonnell F2H "Banshee", Douglas F4D-1 "Skyray", McDonnell Douglas F-4B "Phantom II", Grumman F-14A "Tomcat" and Boeing F/A-18F "Super Hornet". So this is not only a story about a U.S. Navy fighter squadron during and after the Cold War, but also a technical history of U.S. Navy carrier aircraft from the 1950s to the present day.
- Group
- Books (first-hand)
- Author
- Romano, Angelo
- Title
- World Class. Diamond Backs. A Photo History of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102)
- Details
- English text, paperback, 124 bw- and 741 colour photos, 52 colour profiles, 82 illustrations of patches, large format. 288 pages.
- State
- new
Ginter Books
Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Responsible person
Berliner Zinnfiguren
Knesebeckstr. 88
10623 Berlin
Deutschland
[email protected]
Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Responsible person
Berliner Zinnfiguren
Knesebeckstr. 88
10623 Berlin
Deutschland
[email protected]
We also recommend this article
The following articles may also interest you
Take a look at our similar products.Copyright © 2026 Berliner Zinnfiguren & Preussisches Buecherkabinett
Berliner Zinnfiguren, Knesebeckstr. 88, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Phone 0049 (30) 315 700 0