After more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Royal Australian Air Force, Australia’s fleet of F/A-18A/B Classic Hornets has been farewelled, to make way for the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter.
The remaining few active Classic Hornets—that have been employed in the defence of the Australian nation since 1985—were farewelled on November 29 by Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC, Air Force aviators and industry partners at a ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown.
The aircraft were from No. 75 Squadron, based at RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine in the Northern Territory; the last Classic Hornet squadron to changeover to the F-35A.
Australia; RAAF retires F-18 Hornets