F/A-18A HORNET

MEMORIAL HIGHLIGHT

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet, A21-022

Fighter Aircraft, Middle East & Afghanistan

The F/A-18A ‘Classic’ Hornet is a fighter aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force. This model replaced the ageing Mirage III fighter from the 1980s onwards, and was used in protection patrols, Close Air Support sorties and combat missions over the Middle East and Afghanistan. Most notably, this particular aircraft (A21-022) delivered the first ordnance in combat since the Vietnam War. It retired in 2020 with over six-thousand flying hours logged, and is now part of the Australian War
Memorial’s National Collection.

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Official handover

View images from the official handover event between the RAAF and the Australian War Memorial, 4 December 2020.

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In the National Collection

The F/A-18A Hornet, A21-022, has been preserved in the Australian War Memorial's National Collection. Learn more about its acquisition.

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About the F/A-18A Hornet

Type: Fighter aircraft

Make: McDonnell Douglas

Model: F/A-18A Hornet

Serial number: A21-022

Squadron code: -

Call sign: -

Service: 75 and 77 Squadrons, Royal Australian Air Force

Conflict: Middle East & Afghanistan

Missions: approx. 70

2000s: Built

2003-2020: Military service

2020: Acquired by the Australian War Memorial (AWM2018.511.1)

The F/A-18A Hornet (A21-022) served with 75 Squadron RAAF. During the Iraq War, the Hornet was used to attack Iraqi Ground forces with laser-guided bombs. It was deployed to Operation Bastille and Operation Falconer in 2003 (20 missions) and Operation Okra in 2016-17 (50 missions).

Most notably, this particular aircraft delivered the first ordnance in combat since the Vietnam War.

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Take a look at these items, held in the Memorial's National Collection to discover more of the story.

View interviews with the airmen involved in Operation Falconer.

View uniform patch.

Order footage of Hornet's in action.

Please note: all links listed below are to external websites.

For more details about the F/A-18A Hornet’s service:

Learn more about the Memorial’s acquisition of the aircraft:

REFERENCES
Images: Australian War Memorial P04102.093, AWM2020.4.97.46, AWM2020.4.97.10.
Information compiled primarily from references on the Australian War Memorial's website.