On 19 September 2001 in the wake of the September 11 attacks , VF-102 began a scheduled deployment to the Arabian Sea as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom and began combat operations . During that deployment VF-102 flew 5,000 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 than 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
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
VFA-102