@ Santa Maria, CA
October 2023
A F/A-18F Super Hornet of the VFA-122 “”Flying Eagles”, based at NAS Lemoore, makes a flyby during the 2023 Central Coast AirFest. Since February 2016, the Flying Eagles have been solely operating F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets. Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Compared to the C/D version of the Hornet, this aircraft’s wing is 25% bigger, carries 33% more fuel, has 41% better mission range, 35% more thrust, and 50% more endurance. More than 630 Super Hornets have been delivered to the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. Boeing has announced plans to end production of the Super Hornet in 2025.