Australia's Super Hornets Ready for Duty

Australia’s first squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets is operational and ready for duty following the arrival of four new aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley.

The Super Hornets will add to the fire power of the RAAF, taking Australia’s capability to the next generation of fighter plane.

The fleet includes the first three of Australia’s Super Hornets to be configured to accommodate the Growler electronic attack system.

The Super Hornets will ensure Australia's air combat capability is maintained until the full introduction into service of the Joint Strike Fighter.

The fleet of Super Hornets has reached initial operational capability on time and on budget.

The combined efforts of the United States Navy, Boeing and the Hornet Industry team have contributed to achieving this result.

The four newly arrived aircraft departed from the Boeing facility in St. Louis USA, and over a number of days transited to RAAF Base Amberley via Travis Air Force Base California, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Guam.

Mr Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Blair, representing the Minister for Defence, and Senator the Honourable George Brandis, representing the Opposition Spokesperson for Defence, visited RAAF Base Amberley today to review the latest aircraft to arrive and to mark the occasion of the Super Hornets achieving initial operational capability.

ENDS

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