Tag Archives: F/A-18C

Marines: Harriers out by 2027, More F-35Cs, and Hornets C/Ds to Tread Water

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The 44-page 2025 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, released earlier this week by Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, gives lots of insight into how the Corps intends to move forward with preserving its legacy MAGTF model that has been a thing since 1963 despite deep cuts to field the Marine Littoral Regiments of (supposedly) highly mobile anti-ship missile slingers.

The way of the future: 

U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, pose for a unit photo before a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 26, 2024. At the ceremony, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division officially received the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) from Marine Corps Systems Command, becoming the first U.S. Marine Corps unit to field the system. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) (This image was created using photo merging techniques.)

Out are the last 39 AV-8B Harriers, set to leave the force by 2027 while plans to sunset the elderly Charlie and Delta F-18s are on hold until FY30 ish (the Navy already ditched the type in 2019 in favor of the Rhino Super Hornets, with even the Angels converting over).

The Harrier line closed in 2003 while the F-18C/D line ended in 2000. For what it’s worth, Boeing plans to halt all Super Hornet (E/F) production in 2027 when the last 17 on the order books are delivered to the Navy.

In are more carrier-optimized F-35Cs at the expense of STOVL F-35Bs. This will allow the Corps to field four more squadrons (eight total) for likely inclusion in Navy CVN-based air wings than what was originally planned. I wouldn’t be surprised if a ninth squadron gets moved to that in the near future, which would be one per active CVW. 

The Marine Tactical Air transition plan (click to big up):

Takeaways:

“At the end of 2025, 183 F-35B and 52 F-35C aircraft will have been delivered to the Marine Corps. While the program of record (420 total F-35 aircraft) has not changed, we have updated our F-35 procurement profile to reflect an increase in F-35C squadrons. Per the TACAIR Transition plan, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA) and VMFA-323, VMFA-112, and VMFA-134 will now transition as F-35C squadrons. The program of record now includes 280 F-35Bs and 140 F-35Cs to support 12 F-35B squadrons and 8 F-35C squadrons.”

Tsushima Strait, (Sept. 18, 2024) A U.S Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024, for a defensive counterair mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

“The Marine Corps F/A-18 inventory includes 161 F/A-18C/D aircraft. FMF will maintain four active squadrons and one reserve squadron through the end of FY25. F/A-18C/D structure requirements remain in place until the end of FY29 then will transition to F-35s by FY30/31.”

“Of the two Harrier squadrons, Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA) will sundown in late FY25, VMA-223 will sundown in late FY26, and both squadrons will transition to F-35B.”

U.S. Sailors and Marines conduct preflight checks on U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers with the Aviation Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Atlantic Ocean, June 27, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Armando Elizalde)

Celebrating 45 Years of the Hornet

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On 18 November 1978, the aircraft that would become the F/A-18 Hornet took its first flight.

Rolled out in September 1978, the first McDonnell Douglas YF-18A Hornet – before the F/A-18A– was marked “Marines” on the right

And “Navy” on the left

And, while the Rhino and Growler have come to play in a big way, a few legacy C and D model baby Hornets are still in the fleet.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 flies loaded with six AIM-120D advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles over the Pacific Ocean Oct. 27, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by Capt. Ryan Fronczek).

NAVAIRSYSCOM has put together a great, high-octane, 11-minute film as they continue to celebrate the bird’s 45th anniversary, looking back on its life and legacy through the people who have built it, flown it, and commanded the program office that sustains it: The F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265).

F-18Cs put to pasture by the Navy, kinda

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The Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 hosted a sundown service for the Charlie series F/A-18 last week. The Blasters were the last tactical squadron in the Navy flying the bird, most recently wrapping up a final deployment on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the South China Sea in 2018.

“Today our VFA-34 family and the operational farewells an old friend,” said Cmdr. William Mathis, commanding officer of VFA-34. “Born more than 40 years ago, the Hornet entered operational service for the U.S. Navy in 1984 and for the next 35 years, she proudly served the nation from the flight deck of aircraft carriers in all the seas across the globe.”

190201-N-DN355-0024 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Feb. 1, 2019) Pilots from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 prepare to fly the F/A-18 Hornet for the final time. The F/A-18 Hornet entered operational service for the fleet in 1984. The aircraft’s first combat mission was in 1986 during Operation El Dorado Canyon and the legacy Hornet continued to serve in every major U.S. military operation including the Gulf War, Iraqi War, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class K.R. Jackson-Smith/Released)

Now the only guys left operating the F-18C model are aggressor units such as the Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 12 and the River Rattlers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 204.

Oh yeah, and the Blues, who are set to transition to the Super Hornet in coming months.

190202-N-UK306-1551 EL CENTRO, Calif. (Feb. 2, 2019) Opposing solo pilot Lt. Cmdr. Andre Webb, assigned to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, performs a low transition take off during a practice demonstration. The Blue Angels are conducting winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, in preparation for the 2019 show season. The team is scheduled to conduct 61 flight demonstrations at 32 locations across the country to showcase the pride and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American public. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker/Released)

And totally neglected air units such as the USMC guys, who will keep the F-18C around until 2030 (ish).

Flying Yesterday’s Hornet, Tomorrow!

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet and aircrew inspect the aircraft during joint exercise Winter Fury at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, Calif., Jan. 16, 2019. Winter Fury involved both Marine F/A-18C Hornets, and Navy F-35C Lightning II’s, partnering with Air Force F-22 Raptors to perform air-to-air combat while protecting ground assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caitlin Russell)

The final Navy carrier deployment of the F-18 Charlie has concluded

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A sight that will go unseen moving forward, barring Marine air units deploying with carrier groups:

Photo US Navy

From Scramble Magazine:

On 11 April 2018, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 Blue Blasters (‘NE-4xx’) arrived back home at NAS Oceana (VA) after a three-month deployment with CVW-2 on board the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

The F/A-18C squadron embarked on 5 January 2018 the Vinson. The deployment marked the sundown cruise of the US Navy F/A-18C Hornet.

CVW-3’s VFA-131 Wildcats (‘AC-3xx’) and and CVW-8’s VFA-37 Bulls (‘AJ-4xx’) still operate the legacy F/A-18C Hornet but these squadrons will not deploy anymore with these types.

VFA-34 will transition to F/A-18E Super Hornet in the upcoming months, likewise followed by VFA-131 and VFA-37.