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Hornet Manufacturer : Number Built : Production Began : Retired : Type : The Hornet is universally regarded by those in the know as the most versatile and effective aircraft around. Capable of both ground-attack and day/night all-weather air-to-air missions, the Hornet has earned a justifiable reputation as the most sought-after cockpit in the single-seat business. During the months before the outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf War, Hornets flew round-the-clock Combat Air Patrols to provide top cover for Allied fleets. They played a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Iraqi aircraft probing their defenses before turning away, but when the war started it was a different game and in deadly earnest. US Navy and Marine Corps F-18s were among the first Allied aircraft to cross the Iraqi border and they remained in the thick of the fighting throughout the air campaign. In addition to flying escort and sweep missions in support of strike aircraft to and from targets deep within Iraq, Hornets also flew bombing and defence suppression missions and participated in raids on Baghdad. They flew more than 10,000 sorties and 25,000 flight hours during Operation Desert Storm, and shot down two Iraqi MiG 21s to add to the proud McDonnell boast that every enemy fighter shot down in combat was downed by one of their aircraft.

Hornet

Hornet Artwork Collection

USS Dwight Eisenhower by Ivan Berryman.

Chippy Ho by Philip West.

Storm Warning by Philip West.

Hornet the Hunter by Michael Rondot.

Top Cover by Michael Rondot.

Magpies Over Baghdad by Michael Rondot (AP)

Flight for Freedom by Stan Stokes.

Angels and Knights by Stan Stokes.

Signatures for : Hornet
A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Captain Werner Hoffmann Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Captain Werner Hoffmann	Captain Werner Hoffmann Captain Werner Hoffi Hoffmann first flew with the Patrouille Suisse in 1990 and left the team after season 1995. After transition to F/A-18 HORNET with the US Navy at Jacksonville / FL he got back to Switzerland and 1997 â€" 1998 was also F/A-18 display pilot. Today Colonel Hoffmann is Quality Manager of the Swiss Air Force Pilot Schools, and since 2010 is again back in airshow business as the Commanding Officer of the Swiss Air Force PC-7 TEAM, besides the Patrouille Suisse the other official air display team of the Swiss Air Force.
Colonel Manfred Rietsch Click the name above to see prints signed by Colonel Manfred Rietsch	Colonel Manfred Rietsch Manfred Rietsch joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, later joining VMFA-513 in Vietnam. Flying the F-4 Phantom he had his first combat in 1968, and by the end of his tour had flown 653 combat missions - more than any other F-4 pilot in Vietnam. He became the first Marine instructor at Top Gun in 1973, and more recently flew 66 combat missions in the F/A-18 during Desert Storm. In all he has 7000 hours in tactical jets.

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