The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the USAF's first operational delta-wing aircraft. The F-102 made its initial flight on October 24, 1953 and become operational with the Air Defense Command (ADC) in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late 1950s, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,101 F-102s, 975 of which were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102s as combat trainers as side-by-side seating.

In a wartime situation, after electronic equipment on board the F-102 had located the enemy aircraft, the F-102s radar would guide it to a position of attack. At the proper moment, the electronic fire control system would automatically fire the F-102s air-to-air rockets and missiles.

Warner Robins Air Logistics Center provided logistics support for the F-102s electronic fire control and communications systems and air-to-air missile support. The F-102A on display was delivered to the USAF in August 1958 and assigned to the 337th Fighter Group (ADC), Portland Municipal Airport, Oregon. It served at various locations before being retired from the 4756th Air Defense Wing (ADC), Tyndall AFB, Florida in 1971. It was moved to the Museum in 1983.