Final classic fighters delivered by FRCs
Late September and October 2024, the final two US classic fighter aircraft were re-delivered from the Fleet Readiness Centres to the US Marine Corps, marking an end to an era.
On 26 September, Fleet Readiness Centre East (FRCE) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (NC), re-delivered AV-8B+ BuNo 164551/02 to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 Bulldogs ('WP-xx').
FRCE has supported the Harrier since 1973, beginning with its assignment of the AV-8A Harrier and Rolls Royce F402 Pegasus engine workload.
One month later, on 31 October 2024, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) said farewell to the legacy Hornet.
According to Ehren Terbeek, FRCSW Tactical Air Programme Manager; "this particular Hornet, designated AQ-99, carries a rich operational history, symbolising both the aircraft’s role in naval conflicts and the legacy of FRCSW’s aircraft maintenance programme".
Through innovations like the centre barrel replacement, FRCSW extended the operational life of the F/A-18 far beyond its original limit of 6.000 flight hours, with some Hornets surpassing 9.000 hours.
The F/A-18C Hornet was re-delivered to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (CA), where it re-joined Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 Red Devils ('WT-xx') or Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 Death Rattlers ('WS-4xx').
VMFA-323 took over the Hornet pilot training from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 Sharpshooters ('SH-xxx') in September 2023. Because of delays with the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, the USMC upgraded one-third (60 aircraft) of its Hornet fleet to keep it operational until 2030 or later.
Credit photos: FRCE and FRCSW