VF-102 Squadron History
VF-102 Diamondbacks
Base:NAS Oceana
Tailcode:'AB'
Callsign:'Diamond'
Variant:F-14B Update
The present VF-102 was established on the 1st of July 1955 at NAS
Jacksonville, Florida. Before flying Tomcat's the squadron flew F2H
Banshees, F4D-1 Skyrays and the F-4 Phantom. VF-102's first ever
cruise was onboard the USS Randolph from July of 1956. After
returning to NAS Jacksonville VF-102 began to transition to the Douglas
F-4D-1 Skyray, one of the first planes to carry the new AIM-9B
Sidewinder heat seeking missile.
The transition to the F-4B Phantom began in 1961, straight after a
Mediterranean cruise. VF-102 also moved
to NAS Oceana around this time. In the next twenty years VF-
102 got to know the F-4 very well, some of it's more impressive
achievements being:- "Operation Sea Orbit", the first nuclear task force
circumnavigation of the globe, demonstrating how much a carrier's
range and endurance could be improved by using a nuclear power
plant.
VF-102 won the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" efficiency awards in 1964
and 1966. Then in 1968 VF-102, as with most Navy squadrons, did it's
part in the Vietnam war.
After 20 years flying Phantom's the squadron started transitioning to
the F-14A in July 1981, completing the change by May 1982. In mid
1994 the squadron upgraded to the F-14B, which incorporates GE F110
engines instead of the trouble prone P&W TF-30s. Avionics remain
almost identical to the F-14A.
The squadron is part of CVW-1 on board the USS America (CV-66),
up until 1995 being paired with VF-33. In March 1986 the squadron's
Tomcat's were fired on by Libyan SAM's and triple-A while flying CAP's
for Operation Prairie Fire. A month later VF-102 again flew top cover,
this time protecting US Navy A-6's and USAF F-111's that took part in
Operation El Dorado Canyon. No combat losses were suffered on either
occasion.
 |
VF-102 markings whilst assigned to CV-66 in the 1980s. |
Image Copyright Jamie R. Wilcox
The next call to action was during Operation Desert Shield/Storm,
after a shorter than usual work up period the two squadrons deployed
in late December and within 48 hours of arriving were flying combat
operations over Iraq. VF-102 and VF-33 were the only squadrons to fly
combat missions from both the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea during the
Gulf conflict, operating from USS America (CV-66). In the six week
campaign VF-102 logged more than 1400 combat flight hours.
In August of 1993 VF-102 became the first F-14 squadron to try out
the new US Navy air wing concept, where there is only one squadron
of F-14's per wing. This took place on America's August 1993 to
February 1994 cruise in the Mediterranean. The single squadron was
expanded from 8 to 14 Tomcats, and the normal second squadron (VF-
33) not embarked, having been disestablished. VF-102 managed to clock
up an impressive 98.7% mission capable rate, while being involved in
CAP patrols over Bosnia (Deny Flight and Provide Promise), Iraq
(Southern Watch) and Somalia (Restore Hope). Due to VF-102's success
the navy decided to change the composition of all CVW's, removing one
squadron of F-14's and replacing it in two ways, firstly enlarging the
remaining F-14 squadron and secondly adding a third squadron of 10
F/A-18 Hornets, thus giving the air wing more air-to-ground capability.
VF-102 was now USS America's sole F-14 unit and by the 24th of
February 1996 the unit had completed it's final deployment on-board
America, returning to NAS Oceana. After America's retirement VF-102 (and the rest of CVW-1) have moved to
USS George Washington (CVN-73), with CVN-73's previous airwing,
CVW-7, having moved to the newest Navy carrier, USS John C. Stennis
(CVN-74).
VF-102 is a TARPS capable unit, having been so since the squadron
first received the F-14A, and so generally has four TARPS capable
birds when deployed, the remainder being a mix of 'vanilla' and LANTIRN capable F-14's.
In late 1996/early 1997 VF-102 exchanged their F-14B's for F-14B Update models. VF-102 are
the first squadron to recieve full capability Update models, previous squadrons (VF-103,
VF-32, VF-14, VF-41 and VF-2) having had partially upgraded aircraft, able to carry LANTIRN
but without the full 'bag of tricks' that the Update model brings. The squadron's aircraft
now feature, in addition to the LANTIRN pod a new PTID (Programmable Tactical Information
Display). This replaces the old 'fishbowl' in the RIO's office and resembles a large MFD,
with programmable push switches around the edges. Apparently this new display is a real
boon for the RIO, being much eaier to read in direct sunlight. Also new in the RIO's world
is a controller for the LANTIRN pod, this replaces the TARPS control panel on the lower left
hand console. The stick is a development of the now defunct A-12 program and is thus state
of the art. I believe both cockpits also now feature GPS displays. The final changes to the
cockpits are to add NVG compatible lighting, as otherwise pilots and RIO's using NVG's would
be dazzled by looking at their displays. Out of the cockpit the Update features a digital
electronics architecture, allowing easier integration of future weapons, updated radar
warning receiver and associated decoys. To improve the Tomcat's reconnaissance capabilites
the TARPS pod now features a digital Pulnix camera in the forward station, previously used
by the KS-87B frame camera. The digital camera allows imagery to be transmitted back from
the aircraft to the carrier, enabling the commanders to gain near 'real time' intelligence.
VF-102 are lucky in that they have received 12 Update Tomcats, leaving them only 2 standard
aircraft (both of which are TARPS configured). 3 of their TARPS birds were upgraded to Update
standard however, giving them the capability to 'swing' between missions with ease. The new
capabilites of the Update Tomcat mean that it exceeds the Hornet in even more areas than before
and completes the transformation of the F-14 from a world class air-to-air platform to a long
range strike fighter.
One of the first things VF-102 did after receiving their Update F-14's was to deploy to Alaska,
along with reserve squadron VF-201. Since then they have carried out carrier qualifications for
their forthcoming cruise and improved their skills at working as an integral part of CVW-1.
The latest cruise began in October 1997, after crossing the Atlantic the Diamondbacks
took part in Exercise Bright Star, a biannual event featuring forces from the USA, Egypt, Italy,
France, the UK, UAE and Kuwait.
A port visit to Haifa was cut short late in November, on the 21st/22nd of that month the carrier
battle group was ordered to the Persian Gulf, part of the build up of forces in the region. The crisis
began when Saddam Hussein barred UN weapon inspectors from carrying out their assigned tasks. As it grew
the George Washington joined the USS Nimtz and a host of allied forces, including USAF F-117A's, F-15C's
F-16C's, A-10A's, EF-111A's and even B-52H's. The carriers provided around 50 strike aircraft apiece
and with their new LANTIRN system VF-102 were highly in demand, often working with RAF Harrier GR.7's from
the HMS Invincible. Whilst flying as part of Operation Southern Watch the Diamondbacks flew 557 sorties
(including training), a completion rate of 99.7%. As the crisis eased in late February VF-102 and the rest
of the airwing began the long trip home, arriving back in Norfolk on March the 13th. As ever the
return to NAS Oceana was marked by a squadron flypast. With the accomplishments of the last 4 months
under their belt the Diamondbacks return was more enjoyable than ever.
After a quick period of rest VF-102 took and passed their Aircraft Material Condition Inspection, adding
to a safety record that is hard to rival, considering they have won the last 3 safety 'S'awards.
Late April saw flying begin again as the unit took part in JTF98-2, flying as adversaries to the
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower battle group, which was just beginning to cruise. After that it was a quick
trip to New Yrok onboard the USS John F. Kennedy as part of Fleet Week, an annual gathering of ships
in New York harbor. If that weren't enough the squadron deployed to Gander, Canada, in June, acting as
'Orange Air' for a Canadian exercise.
Continuing the busy schedule the Diamondbacks will deploy to Puerto Rico in August, possibly providing
the chance to fire live ordnance. October sees the carrier work up cycle beign in earnest with SFARP
(Strike Fighter Air Readiness Program).
[Main Page]
[F-14A]
[F-14B]
[F-14D]
[Tomcat 21]
[Atlantic Fleet Squadron Histories]
[Pacific Fleet Squadron Histories]
[F-14A Images]
[F-14B Images]
[F-14D Images]
[F-14 Model Kits]
[US Navy Air Wings]
[A-6 images]
