The F/A-18C Hornet Has Been Retired
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The fighter jet F/A-18C Hornet in abundance on the decks of aircraft carriers has left the game for good. The most used fighter aircraft of the Marine Corps ‘Death Rattlers’ squadron made the last of its run, and now it has reached the end of its service after being replaced with F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
The famous VMFA-323 Marine Corps fighter attack squadron has returned from its deployment on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The squadron spent ten months at sea, which is considered a greater span spent together than usual due to two good reasons. The first one being the elongated procedures given the Covid-19 situation, and the second one being to keep an eye on Iran by staying for a longer period in the Persian Gulf. The squadron left Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for the mission at the gulf in early May 2020.
11 MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – (Feb. 25, 2021) The Death Rattlers of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 return from a 10-month deployment, making history as the last F/A-18 Hornet carrier deployment in the U.S. Marine Corps.
VMFA-323 now prepares to fly the F-35B Lightning II.
In line with the Marine Corps Force Design 2030, transitioning to the F-35 increases the lethality of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), as both F-35 variants provide unprecedented stealth capabilities and flexibility due to their ability to operate from conventional aircraft carriers and land bases. Furthermore, the F-35 will provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force strategic agility, operational flexibility and tactical supremacy in a high-end conflict.
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 22, 2021 February 22, 2021 11:23 AM • Updated:
February 26, 2021 3:53 PM
USNI News Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 22, 2021, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:
297
In Japan
Airman Kevin Figueroa, from Clayton, N.C., performs maintenance on a vent on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Feb. 18, 2021. US Navy Photo
USS
Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.