Didn't post this last year, but ...

After 37 years, the RAAF (77 Squadron) retired its last classic Hornet from service last year.

Canada acquired 25 of the ex-Aussie F/A-18s to supplement its existing CF-188 fleet, while the remaining 46 Hornets have been lined up for transfer to Air USA, for use in the contractor adversary air support/training.

... and replaced by the F-35A Lightning II joint strikers, still taking deliveries of the F-35A from Dallas-Fort Worth.



RAAF October 2020 image

The first RAAF Hornets to arrive in Australia were flown from the US to Avalon, Victoria in June 1984. The A21-103 model made its first flight the following year.

The Hornets were first deployed following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 to protect the major US air base on the Indian Ocean island Diego Garcia, which was used to mount operations in Afghanistan.

They were also deployed to the Middle East in 2003 to aid the war on terror in Iraq and most recently in 2018 for the fight against Daesh.

I was out bush up north ... hearing that distinct rumble sound of the Hornet engines, cast my memories back to many a Seattle SeaFair and Blue Angels ...