VFA-102 60th anniversary paint scheme

[Blue_Tires]

https://twitter.com/alert5/status/571269621002539008

[Xyzse]

1. Is that a snake biting the butt of the plane?

On edit... "About to bite".

[Blue_Tires]

4. It's the Earth

showing the distance they "strike" from, since that group is based in Japan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VFA-102
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vf-102.htm
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/naf_atsugi/about/tenant_commands/cvw_5/vfa_102.html

[Xyzse]

8. Now I see.

Thanks... From the cut-off picture, it looks like it was about to bite the plane more than anything else.

[femmocrat]

2. That reminds me of the guy who used to post pictures of planes in the lounge.

Does anyone remember his name?

[Blue_Tires]

3. That was "The Magistrate"

He made highly detailed full-scale models...

A good guy -- Haven't seen him around for awhile, sadly...

[trof]

5. I think it was somebody else.

A real aviation buff. The name escapes me now.

[petronius]

9. HawkerHurricane, I think (an appropriate name for an plane buff)... nt

[trof]

6. VFA-102?

I've never understood how the Navy designates it's squadrons, or whatever they call them.

The Air Force is pretty simple and straightforward.
If it's a fighter squadron squadron, it's called a 'Fighter Squadron'.
106th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
117th Military Airlift Wing.
86th Bomber Group.
Etc.

Why is the Navy so weird?

[GGJohn]

7. VFA is the designation for Strike Fighter Squadron,

from 1980 to 1983, VFA was the designation for Fighter Attack Squadron.
That's about all I can tell you, I was career Army.

[hack89]

10. It dates back to when the Navy had dirigibles

Originally, back when the U.S. Navy began creating aircraft squadron designations, the letter “V” denoted an aircraft that was “heavier than air” while the letter “Z” was used for dirigibles that were “lighter than air.”

As the Navy and Marine aviation divisions grew and lighter than air aircraft were removed from service, the letter “V” was changes to denote a “Fixed Wing” aircraft.

With the implementation of helicopters, the Navy and Marines added the letter designation “H” for helicopters, to denote a “rotary wing” aircraft.

So a navy squadron will either have a V (airplane) or H (helo) as its first letter. The second letter designates the primary mission F = fighter, A = Attack, P = Patrol. If the squadron has a secondary mission then it has a third letter in its title.

So VFA = Fixed Wing Fighter Attack squadron.

[Wounded Bear]

11. And the Marines add an "M" after the V or H...

Former member of VMFA-531.

[Blue_Tires]

13. One of these days someone can explain

why the military loves complicated alphabet soups...

[Wounded Bear]

14. Because, basically, if you know the code, it speeds up communication...

That's the primary reason. The phonetic alphabet-Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta,...etc--helps assure that there is no ambiguity over radio waves, because of the poor response of early radio sets, where C, D, G, T can all sound quite alike.

[Brother Buzz]

18. The Navy actually made that designation

so they could sort out who's who - and never, ever, try to tell a Marine sitting on a bar stool they are a component of the Navy.

[trof]

16. Thanks, hack.

Wonder why they chose 'V'?
Maybe because it points 'down'.
Heavier than air.
Who knows.
Keeps the commies guessing I guess.

[Wounded Bear]

19. Uh.....duh.

<<<<

[Blue_Tires]

15. A guy at my gym always sports his shirt from the 916th Refuel Wing

[trof]

17. There ya go.

Up front and understandable.
I was in the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
We took pictures.
Oh, and shot guns.

[Sherman A1]

20. Good pic!

Thanks for posting.