A U.S. Navy McDonnell F-4B-23-MC "Phantom II" (BuNo 152294) of Fighter Squadron 161 (VF-161) "Chargers" is readied for launch from the aircraft carrier USS "Coral Sea" (CVA-43) in the Gulf of Tonkin on 20 December 1969. VF-161 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) aboard the "Coral Sea" for a deployment to Vietnam from 23 September 1969 to 1 July 1970.