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Description
| Notes: Previously designated F-18A and A-18A. Dual fighter/attack mission capability. | ||
| Manufacturer: | McDonnell-Douglas | |
| Base model: | FA-18 | |
| Designation: | FA-18 | |
| Version: | A | |
| Nickname: | Hornet | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Tri-Service | |
| Designation Period: | 1962-Present | |
| Basic role: | Fighter | |
Specifications
| Not Yet Available |
Operators (Past and Present)
| USN | VAQ-34 | Lemoore | CA |
| USN | VFA-15 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-82 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-86 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-87 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-106 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-125 | Lemoore | CA |
| USN | VFA-137 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-203 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USN | VFA-204 | New Orleans | LA |
| USN | VFA-303 | Lemoore | CA |
| USN | VFA-305 | Point Mugu | CA |
| USMC | VMFA-112 | Dallas | TX |
| USMC | VMFA-115 | MCAS Beaufort | SC |
| USMC | VMFA-122 | Beaufort | SC |
| USMC | VMFA-134 | El Toro | CA |
| USMC | VMFA-142 | Cecil Field | FL |
| USMC | VMFA-251 | Beaufort | SC |
| USMC | VMFA-312 | Beaufort | SC |
| USMC | VMFA-314 | El Toro | CA |
| USMC | VMFA-321 | Washington | DC |
| USMC | VMFA-323 | EI Toro | CA |
| USMC | VMFA-333 | Beaufort | SC |
| USMC | VMFA-531 | EI Toro | CA |
| USMC | VMFAT-101 | El Toro | CA |
| USN | VX-4 | Point Mugu | CA |
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Aviation Heritage Park | NAS Oceana | Virginia |
| MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation | Irvine | California |
| NAS Cecil Field | Cecil Field | Florida |
| NAS Fallon | Fallon | Nevada |
| NAS Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base | Ft. Worth | Texas |
| NAS New Orleans Joint Reserve Base | New Orleans | Louisiana |
| National Museum of Naval Aviation | NAS Pensacola | Florida |
| Patuxent River Naval Air Museum | Patuxent River | Maryland |
FA-18A on display
Aviation Heritage Park | NAS Cecil Field | NAS Fallon | National Museum of Naval Aviation | |
Naval Air Warfare Center |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Steve Braley Brighton, TN | Stood up VFA-303 at Lemoore. Was the best duty I had.Went thru the grow stages of the hornet, but no complants 10/25/2010 @ 09:30 [ref: 31652] |
| Stephen Zacher , TX | I served with VMFA-531 and VMFA-314 from 1990-1994. I deployed with both squadrons, one a WestPac and the other aboard the Abraham Lincoln to the Persian Gulf. I was in powerline and enjoyed working on Hornets. More photos at my Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7205704@N03/ 03/15/2009 @ 14:11 [ref: 23959] |
| Anemones , WI | The FA-18 may be an exceptional fighter but it can never replace the F-14. It is a multi-role, its okay at shooting both air and ground targets, but not as good at both. An
F-15 or F-14 interceptors or fighters would make quick work of an air target. While an attacker or bomber like A-10 or B-51 would send a tank to it's maker. I've heard it is easy to control though, it is said to be, "Forgiving". I guess the mean it maneuvers faster, but not necessarily tighter. It really shoulden't be replacing anything, unless the navy has another old multirole. It does have a poor fuel copacity as well. It is still good to have multiroles on a carrier, but why so many? 12/30/2006 @ 07:01 [ref: 15039] |
| Mark Elledge Tracy, CA | I served in VFA-305 from 1989 - 1993. It was my favorite command. I have worked around P-3's, KC-135's, and CH-47's and the F/A-18 holds a special place in my career. Hard working and dedicated crews. I also noticed this site was signed by Dave Berry. He was one of the best officers I served with. Long live the VFA-305 memories.
SSGT Mark Elledge 08/31/2006 @ 13:20 [ref: 14035] |
| Otto L. Diettman Middletown, NJ | I retired from VFA-86 21 NOV 2000 I loved the aircraft and the squadron. I helped close Cecil field and I hear it may be coming back. I hope so!!!! 05/29/2006 @ 07:14 [ref: 13401] |
| Charles Johnson Augusta, GA | I was the 1st pair of "boots" on the ground for Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (DET: Beaufort) in 1999. (6 Months before VFA 82, VFA 86 and the support crew got checked in at MALS-31)
It's a shame to see VFA 82 go away like this. I did quite a lot of work being the Wing's liason to the Marines at MALS-31. Helped to get certain things established on base to make the Navy's transition as smooth as possible comming from Cecil Field. Hopefully the Navy won't do the same to VFA 86! AS3 C. Johnson 11/20/2005 @ 12:51 [ref: 11745] |
| Daniel Casanova Seminole, FL | I enjoyed the site very much. I work for a Stocking distributor of all types of electronic and electro-mechanical components. We are listed as a Veteran Owned Small Business with the DOD. If I can help any buyers or engineeres locate any pain parts like obsolete, shortage, hard to find, lead time etc... please email me at danny@aerospaceelite.com. Your site is wonderful... 03/30/2005 @ 12:53 [ref: 9832] |
| Tom , TN | I was a Blue Dolphin from July 2003, to the decommissioning. Great Sailors, Great fun. I will miss steak and shrimp in Key West. VFA-203 Gone, but not forgotten. GET-ER-DONE. 03/02/2005 @ 13:18 [ref: 9586] |
| Adam Marietta, GA | I've also just found out that the USN is sinking The VFA-82 'Marauders' out of MCAS Beaufort,SC. They will be completely disbanded within 12-18 months.
The USN will select two more squads to hit the history books by years end. Sad things are happening to the USN squads... Adam 08/10/2004 @ 00:59 [ref: 8020] |
| Terry Gray Milwaukie, OR | I served as a plane captain/structural mechanic (H) in the fleet replacement sqaudron VFA-125,Lemoore, Calif. Had some great times with my old buddies in Yuma, Ariz., and Fallon, Nevada. I had a great sense of pride being connected to this great machine... some of the best times of my life. FLY NAVY! 07/28/2004 @ 04:12 [ref: 7928] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
