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Thumbnail Filmstrip of F-14B Tomcat USN VF-102 Diamondbacks AB102 USS Theodore Roosevelt CW001614 Images
Grumman F-14B Tomcat Diecast Model
USN VF-102 Diamondbacks, AB102, USS Theodore Roosevelt, Operation Enduring Freedom 2001
1:72 Scale Length 10.25" Width 10.75"
Grumman F-14B Tomcat
US Navy Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102) Diamondbacks was established on July 1st, 1955 as NAS Jacksonville, Florida, flying the F2H Banshee. The squadron transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II in 1961, flying it for 20 years before upgrading to the F-14A Tomcat in 1981 and then the F-14B Tomcat in 1994. The squadron finally traded their F-14s for the F/A-18F Super Hornet in 2002. On September 19, 2001 in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, VF-102 began a scheduled deployment to the Arabian Sea as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom and began combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During that deployment VF-102 flew 5000 combat hours and dropped 680 bombs as well as guiding more than 50,000 pounds of precision guided munitions launched by other aircraft, VF-102 dropped more ordnance and flew more combat hours then any other F-14 unit during the war in 2001 and 2002. In addition, as part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group they were at sea for 159 consecutive days, breaking a 20 year old record.