Since their arrival in 1985, the Classic Hornets have made an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s air power, including in theatres of operations such as Operations Slipper, Falconer and Okra. After more than 30 years of dedicated service, and nearly 408,000 total flying hours, the F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet will transition to the advanced lethality, survivability, and supportability delivered by the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

End of Era F/A-18A/B ‘classic’ Hornet video montage

03/12/202108/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1885 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets

F/A-18A and F/A-18B ‘classic’ Hornets formally retired from service on Monday 29 November 2021, as the Royal Australian Air Force transitions to its fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

CAPTION: Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

Since their arrival in 1985, the ‘classic’ Hornets have made an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s air power, including in theatres of operations such as Operations Slipper, Falconer and Okra.

After more than 30 years of dedicated service, and nearly 408,000 total flying hours, the single-seat F/A-18A and two-seat F/A-18B Hornet fleet has now fully retired – a handful of aircraft going into Australia’s heritage collection, with the majority sold overseas.

To mark the retirement, the Royal Australian Air Force reached back into its archives and pulled out some footage they thought the public might like to remember and celebrate the iconic F/A-18A and B Hornet’s contribution to Australia’s air power over more than 35 years.