Ready to Launch
An F-4 Phantom from the Diamondbacks of VF-102 prepares to launch from a waist catapult aboard the USS Independence in the Indian Ocean. You can see the heat haze as the Phantom revs up before being released. Beyond is an A-7 Corsair II of VA-87 (the Golden Warriors) on the other waist catapult. In the foreground, the deck park features two A-6 Intruder attack aircraft and an SH-3 ASW helicopter.
This was VF-102's last cruise with the F-4 before transitioning to the F-14 Tomcat.
I was aboard the Independence with several colleagues for a one-day exchange to see how an aircraft carrier operated. A fascinating experience.
Ready to Launch
An F-4 Phantom from the Diamondbacks of VF-102 prepares to launch from a waist catapult aboard the USS Independence in the Indian Ocean. You can see the heat haze as the Phantom revs up before being released. Beyond is an A-7 Corsair II of VA-87 (the Golden Warriors) on the other waist catapult. In the foreground, the deck park features two A-6 Intruder attack aircraft and an SH-3 ASW helicopter.
This was VF-102's last cruise with the F-4 before transitioning to the F-14 Tomcat.
I was aboard the Independence with several colleagues for a one-day exchange to see how an aircraft carrier operated. A fascinating experience.