The Checkerboards began the first half of 2002 preparing to deploy to MCB Twenty Nine Palms in support of CAX 03-02 while sending one pilot to Top Gun class 3-02. On 13 January, 10 jets departed MCAS Beaufort to complete their CAX mission. While deployed, VMFA-312 trained with, and flew missions in support of 6th Marines. While deployed the Checkerboards dropped / fired 13,000 lbs. Of inert and live ordnance and flew 319 sorties and 465.4 hours during the period from 13 January to 10 February. The months of January and February proved busy but successful months for the Checkerboards. The squadron completed CAX 03-02 while gaining six new pilot qualifications and one Top Gun graduate.

May 2002 began with squadron preparations for TRANSLANT in anticipation of Dynamic Mix 02. In addition to the prerequisite air-to-ground sorties and aerial re-fueling qualifications, the Checkerboards also prepared one pilot to attend Top Gun class 4-02. On the 16th, the squadron participated in the Georgia Air National Guard Bombing Derby. A total of twenty Air Force, Navy, and Marine squadrons participated and the Checkerboards finished first of all Navy/Marine squadrons and third overall. 18 May marked the anticipated Checkerboard fly-off from MCAS Beaufort, landing eight hours later in Zaragoza, Spain. The squadron deployed six F/A-18A’s and two F/A-18D’s(augmented from VMFA (AW)-533), in support of Dynamic Mix 02, a multi-national NATO exercise. Once the exercise began, Checkerboard pilots flew sorties in support of NATO large force exercises.

During June the Checkerboards supported the LIVEX portion of Dynamic Mix while still deployed to Zaragoza, Spain. Missions included close air support and armed reconnaissance. Upon returning to MCAS Beaufort, the squadron began normal flight operation on the 12th. While deployed to Spain, the Checkerboards flew 161 sorties for 340.0 hours in support of squadron training and Dynamic Mix 02.

During July, at the completion of an air-to-air phase, the squadron experienced a traumatic conclusion to a relatively routine month of flying. On 26 July, in a 2v2 sortie, Captain Scott “Clan” McLeod was forced to eject over the woods of central Arkansas. A malfunction with his aircraft left him no option but to eject as he plummeted towards the ground at a perilous speed. He ejected safely and was rescued in under two hours with the help of a local C-130 aircraft out of Little Rock.

In January 2003, the squadron continued to welcome the upgraded F/A-18 A+ aircraft to the flight line. This software change improved its navigational, radar and weaponry suite thereby creating the most technically fierce of the F/A-18 fleet. The formal “work-up” cycle for carrier deployment did not begin until February. This allowed the squadron to continue its unit level training during January and march forward with its individual flight qualification goals.

In February, the squadron detached to NAS Fallon, NV for three weeks of air-to-ground SFARP (Strike Fighter Air Readiness Phase) training. This detachment marked the beginning of the squadron’s carrier integration process. The next six months would prepare the Checkerboards and Carrier Air-Wing One for their upcoming deployment. The squadron’s effort throughout the work-up phase was successful and demonstrated the importance of having a Marine Fighter Attack squadron as a part of CVW-1.

The Checkerboards deployed aboard the USS Enterprise in August 2003. They arrived in the Persian Gulf in October and began support of Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. VMFA-312 demonstrated its tactical proficiency in November when it was the first squadron in the air-wing to release ordnance in support of OIF. The Checkerboards remained in their AOR until the end of January before transiting towards home. The squadron enjoyed several port calls during its deployment including: Dubai, UAE; Bahrain; Naples, Italy; and Cartegna, Spain. The USS Enterprise made its first homecoming February twenty-eighth in Mayport, FL. The Enterprise would make its final stop the following day in its hometown of Norfolk, VA. Now stateside, the Checkerboards enjoyed a much deserved leave and liberty period during March.

Following the leave and liberty period the squadron successfully certified two (ACTI) Air Combat Tactical Instructors. The squadron then embarked on a 3-week detachment to MCAS Yuma, AZ during the months of July and August for Air-to-Surface training. The squadron supported 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines by providing them Close Air Support training prior to their departure to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the summer of 2004, GySgt Jersey J. Bray received the MCAA Willie D. Sproule Maintenance Marine of the Year award, and the Checkerboards received their fifth Robert M. Hanson award in their 60-year history.