General Background

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

The Aircraft

F/A-18F A44-210 Bu. 167966 c/n AF-10 was delivered to the RAAF 1 Squadron at Amberley on July 6, 2010. In 2017 this aircraft went to Iraq during Operation Okra, Australia’s support against ISIL. In 2016 the aircraft was painted to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of 1 Squadron and still wore the scheme in 2019. From 1950 to 1958 the squadron was based in Singapore, then returned to Australia and was re-equipped with the Canberra. The squadron later flew the F-4; the F-111 and in 2010 the Super Hornet.