Originally designated Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102), the DIAMONDBACKS of Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) were established on 1 July 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 onboard the USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), in July 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 June 1981, the DIAMONDBACKS bade farewell to the Phantom 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 and AIM-9 Sidewindermissiles, and the six-barrelled 20mm cannon, comprised the Tomcat's 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 Navy's 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 Navy's 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).

This is aircraft was to replace the AJ-1/2 and the A3D as a nuclear attack bomber. This twin engine bomber carried the Linear Bomb (nuclear weapon) was carried between the two J78-GE-8. It was also used as a tanker, a Photo Recon and ECM. This was the second heaviest aircraft excepted by the Navy the first being the A-3. The first prototype flew August 31, 1958 and deliveries started in 1960 to VAH-7. The new USS Enterprise was the first ship to deploy the A-5.

Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), also known as the "Black Knights", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Black Knights are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet. As of 2014, VFA-154 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Their callsign is "Knight". The roots of VFA-154 can be traced back to VBF-718, a Naval Air Reserve squadron which was established at NAS New York, on July 1, 1946. The squadron was redesignated VF-68A, on February 1, 1947, VF-837 on December 1, 1949, VF-154 on February 1, 1953 and, finally, VFA-154 on October 1, 2003. Black Knights Rule! (BKR) - A Pictorial History of VBF-718 / VF-68A / VF-837 / VF-154 / VFA-154 - 1946-2013, is the first one of the new US NAVY SQUADRON HISTORIES. The photo coverage on the lineage of the Black Knights is as comprehensive as one has ever seen, both in terms of photography and historical content.

At the A-7 Corsair II's peak in the mid-1980s, some 30 US Navy squadrons flew various versions of the aircraft, including six Naval Air Reserve units, and these many of these units saw action across the Middle East. By the time the jet saw combat in Operation Desert Storm (1991), there remained only two fleet squadrons – many fleet squadrons having either disestablished or transitioned to the F/A18 Hornet – but both of these units (VA-46 and VA-72) played a major role in the campaign to free Kuwait. The book details the technological development and improvements that were introduced to the airframe post-Vietnam (the FLIR targeting pod from 1979 and AGM-88 HARM missile from 1983 being the most important), and how they shaped operational employment of the aircraft. The jet's combat experiences in conflicts during the 1970s (Cambodia), 1980s (Lebanon, Grenada, Libya and Iran), and 1990s (Iraq) are explained in detail, and Peter Mersky's expert analysis is supported by numerous first-hand accounts from naval aviators that saw action with the A-7 during these campaigns.

Walk-around and action photography of the Phantom II.

The Boeing Vertol CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter has become an icon. Its tandem, contra-rotating rotors whirling above an aluminum fuselage punctuated by round porthole windows make this battlefield beast easily recognizable. Its status is owed to its long service life of more than 55 years. Experts predict its longevity will ultimately reach a century of service for heavy lift and use as a flying bus to deliver troops to the fight. This all-new volume explores the development and the U.S. military service of 13 models of Chinook from 1958 to date. Included is extensive coverage of the CH-47's use in Vietnam through Desert Storm and into current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional coverage is provided of the helicopters use during various disaster relief efforts in the United States and around the world. More than 160 archival color photos, augmented by 48 vintage black and white images and numerous line drawings, present a clear and concise illustrated history of this iconic helicopter.