26 March 2025
Fifteen years have flown by since the Royal Australian Air Force welcomed a game-changing addition to its air combat fleet—the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Now, 15 years later, the Australian International Air Show celebrates the incredible legacy and enduring combat capability of this remarkable aircraft that arrived in Australia on March 26, 2010.
As the first new air combat platform introduced to Air Force in 25 years, the Super Hornet — affectionately known as the ‘Rhino’ — was a critical solution to bridging the gap between the retirement of the legendary F-111 and the arrival of the F-35A Lightning II.
With 24 aircraft delivered by late 2011, the Super Hornet quickly proved its worth as a versatile and powerful multi-role fighter.
From the outset, the Rhino brought cutting-edge technology and operational flexibility to Air Force.
Larger than its ‘Classic’ Hornet predecessor and flown with a two-crew configuration, the Super Hornet offered enhanced capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Wing Commander Trent Baldry, Commanding Officer 1 Squadron, said 1 Squadron operationalised with the Super Hornet on December 8, 2010 after rigorous training in the United States.
“Flying the Super Hornet is an incredible privilege — the two-crew model of the Rhino consisting of a pilot and a Weapon Systems Officer (or WSO) truly enables a simultaneous multi-role capability increasing its lethality and survivability in combat,” Wing Commander Baldry said.
“The Rhino and its crews have proven this time and time again over the past 15 years both on exercise and on combat operations in the Middle East.
“It’s an absolute honour to fly the Super Hornet and to be part of the legacy of this remarkable aircraft."
'The F/A-18F Super Hornet has proven to be a formidable capability.'
The Super Hornet’s combat credentials were cemented in October 2014, when it was deployed for strike missions supporting Australia’s coalition operations against Daesh in Iraq.
These missions marked the first Air Force combat deployments since Classic Hornet operations in Iraq in 2003.
Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz had fond memories of the Super Hornet's introduction and said the aircraft had remained a key component of Australia’s air power strategy.
“On 26 March 2010, as Commanding Officer No. 1 Squadron, I referred to the outgoing F-111C aircraft and said, ‘It will be sad to see them go ... but the future is bright',” Air Vice-Marshal Braz said.
“The F/A-18F Super Hornet has proven to be a formidable capability.
“I am so proud of the aviators who have worked so hard to shepherd the platform to this important milestone.
“Now 15 years on, as Air Commander Australia, I underestimated how bright the future would be.”
Thanks to Australia’s close partnership with the United States, the Super Hornet is regularly upgraded, remaining at the forefront of modern air combat.
Once envisioned as a transitional fighter, it has become integral to Air Force’s combat capability.
Today, 1 Squadron proudly operates the Super Hornet out of RAAF Base Amberley.
As we celebrate 15 years of the Super Hornet in Air Force service, we acknowledge the dedication of the personnel who have flown, maintained, and supported this remarkable aircraft — ensuring that it remains a powerful symbol of Australia’s commitment to air superiority and national security.
Here’s to the Super Hornet — 15 years strong and still flying high!
