F/A-18F Super Hornet – CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler lands at Clark Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Alon 2025. Story by Flying Officer Aarron Dann. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

Growlers, Hornets deploy to Philippines for first time

03/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4475 Views 1 Comment Armed Forces of the Philippines, EA-18G Growler, Exercise Alon, F/A-18F Super Hornet

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken air combat capability to the next level, deploying EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18F

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet lands at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Salute to 15 years of Super Hornet combat excellence

26/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2425 Views 1 Comment Australian International Airshow, F/A-18F Super Hornet

Fifteen years have flown by since the Royal Australian Air Force welcomed a game-changing addition to its air combat fleet—the

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft receives fuel from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport over Iraq as part of the Air Task Group for Operation Okra. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Sergeant Mick Davis.

Middle East News Royal Australian Air Force

Air-to-air refuellers kept Operation Okra flying

05/03/202520/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2030 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Operation Okra

Flying a Classic Hornet loaded with bombs over Iraq in 2016, Air Commodore Philip Gordon had a problem. CAPTION: A Royal

A RAAF 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet pilot, weapons systems officer and ground crew member meet for pre-flight checks during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 in Nevada, US. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Enhanced teamwork for technicians in Nevada

25/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2610 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, US Air Force

Personnel from Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have joined forces at Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 and

A Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the Nellis Air Force Base flightline during Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1. Story by Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flowers.

News Royal Australian Air Force USA Videos

High stakes in Exercise Red Flag over Las Vegas

20/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4267 Views 0 Comments Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 77 Squadron, RAF, USAF

The Royal Australian Air Force has joined the United States military and Royal Air Force (RAF) in Exercise Red Flag

Commander Air Task Group Air Commodore Philip Gordon in front of an F/A-18A Hornet on the flight line of Australia's main air operating base in the Middle East region. This image has been digitally modified. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photos by Corporal Nicci Freeman.

ADF People History Middle East Royal Australian Air Force

Reflecting on Op Okra Air Task Group

18/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2444 Views 0 Comments Daesh, F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, Middle East Region

Hornet pilots strapped into their aircraft in temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees before taking off for eight-and-a-half-hour sorties. CAPTION: Commander Air

A Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft takes off from Nellis Air Force Base during Exercise Red Flag Nellis. Story. y Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers. US. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF flies Red Flag over Nevada

11/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3888 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, EA-18G Growler, Exercise Red Flag, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 41 Wing, No. 77 Squadron

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken to the skies for Exercise Red Flag Nellis 25-1 with its biggest

A Philippine Air Force member works with a RAAF combat controller during Exercise Havoc Strike at Bulahdelah near RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Image has been modified for security. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Corporal Samuel Miller.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Controller training a success at Havoc Strike

26/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2176 Views 0 Comments Exercise Havoc Strike, F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 4 Squadron, Philippine Air Force, RAAF Williamtown, Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force’s 4 Squadron has played host to the Philippine and Royal Thai Air Forces on Exercise

The Air Force Roulettes perform a handling display at the 2024 VAILO Adelaide 500 in Adelaide, South Australia. Story by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran. Photos by Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Adelaide 500 crowd revved up by ADF

20/11/202430/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1864 Views 0 Comments Australian Army Band, Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, F/A-18F Super Hornet, M1A1 Abrams, PC-21, Roulettes

The ADF provided a crowd-pleasing display at the Adelaide 500, the season finale of the Repco Supercars Championship, from November

Australian Army Joint Tactical Attack Controllers from 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery observe round impacts during Exercise Nigrum Pugio with RAAF at Townsville Field Training Area, Townsville, Queensland. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Trooper Dana Millington.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Refining call-in of targeted attacks

20/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2256 Views 0 Comments 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, Exercise Nigrum Pugio, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

A pair of F/A-18F Super Hornets roar overhead as a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) on the ground radios through

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft drops a bomb at the Townsville Field Training Area as part of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Course live-fire serials during Exercise Black Dagger 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force

Exercise Black Dagger 24 right on target

25/10/202426/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 5765 Views 0 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Exercise Black Dagger, F/A-18F Super Hornet, JTAC, No. 1 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, PC-21, RAAF Townsville

Royal Australian Air Force personnel called in weapons strikes from air combat aircraft and artillery units during Exercise Black Dagger

Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin, right, is presented with his 4000th Hornet hour patch by Officer Commanding 82 Wing, Group Captain Paul Jarvis, at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Second pilot hits 4000 hours in Hornets

17/10/202422/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2087 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Senior Fighter Combat Instructor Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin has racked up 4000 flying hours in the Hornet – the second

Aviators from 1 Squadron, Flight Lieutenants Nick and Slade, with a F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley prepare for their flying display. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photo byCorporal Brett Sherriff.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force Videos

From spectators to Riverfire stars

03/09/202407/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4473 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, Riverfire

Two aviators who grew up in south-east Queensland fulfilled childhood dreams of flying in Brisbane’s most iconic event – Riverfire

A RAAF FA-18F Super Hornet aircraft departs RAAF Base Darwin for a night flying mission as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2024. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Back-seat bandits on Exercise Pitch Black

30/07/202405/08/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1699 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, F/A-18F Super Hornet, RAAF Darwin

As Exercise Pitch Black continues to play out in the Northern Territory and all eyes look towards the sky, the

A F/A-18F Super Hornet from 1 Squadron conducts a low-level flypast over Cairns Esplanade, enthralling the local community during Exercise Crimson Dawn. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photo by Jonathan Williams.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Air power on display in north Queensland

12/07/202414/07/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2607 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron

Air power has been on display in north Queensland, with additional flying activity taking place through the region, including on

Armament technicians from 1 Squadron load an AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile onto an F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley. Story. by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos by Aircraftwoman Vanessa Wang.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Top-down teamwork readies aircraft for combat

01/05/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2244 Views 1 Comment AGM-84 Harpoon, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron

As part of 1 Squadron’s rolling 12-month armament training, their armament technicians loaded AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles to F/A-18F Super

Armament technicians from 1 Squadron load a GBU-16 on to an F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Crimson Dawn 23-2. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photo by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Having a blast on Crimson Dawn

06/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2322 Views 0 Comments Delamere Air Weapons Range, Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, GBU-16, GBU-31v4 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal

Aircraft armament technicians known as “gunnies” from 1 Squadron loaded the F/A-18F Super Hornet with weapons during Exercise Crimson Dawn

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from 1 Squadron takes off from RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Crimson Dawn. Story by Pilot Officer Shanea Zeegers. Photos by Sergeant David Gibbs.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Crimson Dawn fills Tindal skies

05/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2198 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, Weapon Systems Officers (WSO)

Exercise Crimson Dawn brought 1 Squadron Training Flight to RAAF Base Tindal, graduating Weapon Systems Officers (WSO) on the F/A-18F

Brisbane Heat cricket players Usman Khawaja and Michael Neser with RAAF aviators during their visit to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Brisbane cricketers hang with the fast jets

03/11/202303/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1893 Views 0 Comments EA-18G Growler, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 6 Squadron, No. 82 Wing, RAAF Amberley, simulation facility

Last month, aviators at RAAF Base Amberley welcomed two legends of cricket who have a special place in their heart

A RAAF aviator finalises a systems check of an F/A-18F Super Hornet at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth during Exercise Bersama Lima, Malaysia. Story by Flying Officer Connor Bellhouse. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Refuelling aircraft and aviators

27/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2548 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bersama Lima, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 19 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth

Members of 19 Squadron fuelled aircraft and aviators during Exercise Bersama Lima. CAPTION: A RAAF aviator finalises a systems check of

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