The keel for the ship named for the "Father of America's modern Navy", an eight-term senator from the great State of Mississippi, was laid on 13 March 1991, launched on 13 November 1993, and commissioned on 11 November 1995. The Stennis departed NAS Norfolk in February 1998 on it's inaugural cruise with CVW-7 aboard, subsequently completed a World Cruise, and sailed to her new home-port at San Diego, CA in August 1998. She bid farewell to CVW-7 and welcomed aboard CVW-9. They will again deploy for a WestPac cruise in January 2000.

This is the wing patch created for Carrier Air Wing Nine.

The 'Blue Diamonds' were established in February '56 and flew the FJ-4B Fury and the A-7 Corsair II before transitioning to the F/A-18C Hornet . They operate out of NAS Lemoore, CA.

The "Argonauts" of VA-147 were the first Fleet squadron to fly the A-7A Corsair II. They were established in February 1967, and have since converted to the F/A-18C Hornet in the mid-80s as VFA-147. This is the heritage patch from that squadron. They fly the Hornet with CVW-9 onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

The "Argonauts" were established in February 1967, and have converted from the A-7 Corsair to the F/A-18C Hornet in the mid-80s. This is the black aircraft bullet from that squadron. They fly the Hornet with CVW-9 onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

The "Argonauts" were established in February 1967, and have converted from the A-7 Corsair to the F/A-18C Hornet in the mid-80s. This is the yellow aircraft bullet from that squadron. They fly the Hornet with CVW-9 onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

The "Argonauts" were established in February 1967, and have converted from the A-7 Corsair to the F/A-18C Hornet in the mid-80s. This is the yellow aircraft bullet from that squadron. They fly the Hornet with CVW-9 onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). This is their commemmorative patch created when they did their 1992 "Flyover" at Super Bowl XXVII. It was dubbed "The Mother of All Flybys".

The 'Black Knights' of VFA-154 fly the F/A-18 Hornet as part of CVW-9 onboard the USS Reagan and home-based out of NAS Lemoore, CA. This is the nametag worn by the 'Black Knight' pilots.

The 'Black Knights' of VFA-154 fly the F/A-18 Hornet as part of CVW-9 onboard the USS Reagan and home-based out of NAS Lemoore, CA. This is the nametag worn by the 'Black Knight' WSOs.

The VFA-154 'Black Knights' were established in February 1951, then designated as VF-154 in February 1953. They flew the F-4S Phantom before transitioning to the F-14A Tomcat and now to the F/A-18F Hornet. This is their new squadron patch representative of their switch to the Hornet.

The VFA-154 'Black Knights' were established in February 1951, then designated as VF-154 in February 1953. They flew the F-4S Phantom before transitioning to the F-14A Tomcat and now to the F/A-18F Hornet. This is the color version of the NEW aircraft triangle design. It is the triangle patch worn on the right shoulder of the flight suits worn by the aircrew that fly the Hornet.

The VFA-154 'Black Knights' were established in February 1951, then designated as VF-154 in February 1953. They flew the F-4S Phantom before transitioning to the F-14A Tomcat and now to the F/A-18F Hornet. This is the "skinny" version of the NEW aircraft triangle design. It is the triangle patch worn on the right shoulder of the flight suits worn by the aircrew that fly the Hornet.

The "Death Rattlers" were under supervision by MAG-11 and flew for many years with the F-4 Phantoms. They transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet in 1983 and along with their sister squadron (VMFA-314), the squadron flew against Libya in 1986, deployed to Egypt in support of Exercise Bright Star, then also took their turn in the rotations at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. This is the "velcro" version of their current squadron patch. They currently have been moved from MCAS El Toro, CA to NAS Miramar, CA.

The "Death Rattlers" were also under supervision by MAG-11 and flew for many years with the F-4 Phantoms. They transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet in 1983 and along with their sister squadron (VMFA-314), the squadron flew against Libya in 1986, deployed to Egypt in support of Exercise Bright Star, then also took their turn in the rotations at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. This is the "non-velcro" desert subdued version of the squadron patch. They currently have been moved from MCAS El Toro, CA to NAS Miramar, CA.

The "Death Rattlers" were also under supervision by MAG-11 and flew for many years with the F-4 Phantoms. They transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet in 1983 and along with their sister squadron (VMFA-314), the squadron flew against Libya in 1986, deployed to Egypt in support of Exercise Bright Star, then also took their turn in the rotations at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. This is the "velcro" version of their desert subdued squadron patch. They currently have been moved from MCAS El Toro, CA to NAS Miramar, CA.

The 'Death Rattlers' fly the F/A-18A Hornet out of MCAS El Toro, CA. They operate under the guidance of MAG-11. They flew in the Libyan combat missions from the flight deck of the USS Coral Sea in 1986.