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APH-5  VF-102

This APH-5 flight helmet belonged to Ltjg KENT. E. HUTCHINSON, a RIO of VF-102 “DIAMONDBACKS” during Operation Sea Orbit in 1964 on board the USS Enterprise (CVA(N)-65).

 Operation SEA ORBIT was planned to demonstrate the US NAVY ability to quickly move a nuclear Task Force across the globe. USS Enterprise, together with nuclear cruisers USS Long Beach and USS Bainbridge travelled unrefuelled for 30'565 miles and 65 days around the world.

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FIGHTING SQUADRON 102 was one of the very first units to fly the F4H-1 Phantom in 1962, transitionning from the Douglas F4D Skyray.