F/A-18A/B Hornets Archives - CONTACT magazine

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.

Reflecting on Op Okra Air Task Group

18/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1670 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

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 1091 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

26 Squadron Mechanical Equipment Operations Maintenance Section (MEOMS) team with the F/A-18 Hornet billy cart. Story and all photos by Corporal Melina Young.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Pushing the blues away

01/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1386 Views 0 Comments Beyond Blue, F/A-18A/B Hornets, RAAF Williamtown

A zeal to revive a vintage classic and deliver it a new purpose drove Sergeant Michael Dellaca to wipe 10

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet A21-32 on display at the South Australian Aviation Museum in Adelaide, South Australia. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Annika Smit.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Second life for classic Hornet

24/11/202224/11/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4162 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets

The Royal Australian Air Force has officially loaned F/A-18A Hornet A21-32 – known as the ARDU Hornet – to the

Commander Air Combat Group Air Commodore Timothy Alsop (right) presents Squadron Leader Daniel Grealy with an oversized replica patch on attaining 4000 flying hours in F/A-18 type aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Sergeant Peter Borys.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Fighter pilot’s ‘huge achievement’ of 4000 hours

08/06/202222/10/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 4102 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 77 Squadron, No. 82 Wing Training Flight, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Williamtown

In a first for the Royal Australian Air Force, No. 82 Wing Training Flight fighter pilot Squadron Leader Daniel Grealy

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.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

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

03/12/202108/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2418 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

An F-35A Lighting II aircraft performs an aerial display at the 2021 Wings Over Illawarra Airshow in New South Wales. Story by Flight Lieutenant Gerard Reed. Photo by Able Seaman Susan Mossop.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Spectacular display on NSW south coast

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1918 Views 0 Comments F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18A/B Hornets, Wings Over Illawarra

From the extreme roar of jet engines to the gentle purr of pistons, aircraft criss-crossed the skies above the south

Aircraft A21-02 flown by Group Captain Jason Easthope, Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group taxis through a farewell water canon at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Dee Irwin. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Combat support unit reflects fondly on Hornets

03/12/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2025 Views 0 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, No. 17 Squadron

Approximately 300kms south of Darwin near the township of Katherine is RAAF Base Tindal, a remote air base. The base

Aircraft A21-02 flown by Group Captain Jason Easthope, Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group puts on the last handling display for a RAAF F/A-18 Hornet at RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Hornets farewelled after more than 35 years of service

30/11/202130/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2786 Views 3 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 75 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, Williamtown

Air Force has farewelled the F/A-18A/B Hornets after more than 35 years of service, with an end of era event

A RAAF F/A-18A over Victoria. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

Australian News Overseas Rest of World Royal Australian Air Force

Canada to buy used Australian Hornets

14/12/201714/12/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5836 Views 2 Comments F/A-18A/B Hornets

Minister for Defence Marise Payne announced yesterday that the Australian government has agreed to the sale of 18 Royal Australian