The Blue Diamonds were established as Attack Squadron 146 (VA-146) on February 1, 1956, at NAS Miramar, California. Originally known as the Blacktails, the squadron began flying the F9F-8 Cougar before transitioning to the FJ-4B Fury. In 1959, the squadron adopted the Blue Diamonds nickname, and in 1962 moved to NAS Lemoore and transitioned to the A-4C Skyhawk.
VA-146 began combat operations in Southeast Asia in 1964 and completed multiple combat deployments during the Vietnam War. The squadron transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II in 1968 and continued flying combat missions through the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. In 1989, VA-146 was redesignated VFA-146 and transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet, becoming the first fleet squadron to receive the night-attack version of the Hornet. The Blue Diamonds later flew combat missions in support of operations including Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
From December 2014 through May 2015, VFA-146 transitioned from the F/A-18C Hornet to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, achieving Safe-for-Flight certification in May 2015. Today, the Blue Diamonds continue to fly the single-seat F/A-18E, carrying forward seven decades of Naval Aviation history and the squadron's enduring tradition: “Diamonds Take Care of Diamonds.”
