The first of two F/A-18A Hornets that have been handed over to the Australian War Memorial for heritage display is being transported by road from RAAF Base Williamtown to Canberra.
Aircraft A21-022 was retired on May 14, 2020, having completed 30 years in service and 6131.5 flying hours with the Royal Australian Air Force.
It left RAAF Base Williamtown on October 26 and is expected to arrive at the Treloar Technology Centre in Canberra October 27.
The aircraft has been partially disassembled for transport and will be reassembled at the Treloar Technology Centre by Boeing Defence Australia during November 2020.
An official ceremony to hand F/A-18A Hornet A21-022 over to the Australian War Memorial is planned for December 2020.
Minister for defense industry Melissa Price said the expected arrival of the F/A-18A Hornet A21-022 would be a major step in the preservation of Australian war history.
“This is a special aircraft for the RAAF,” minister Price said.
“It employed the first Australian weapon on Operation Falconer in 2003, and was also deployed on Operation Okra in 2016-2017.
“It is very fitting that it will now spend its next life on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial.”
Australia’s once 71-strong Hornet fleet is being replaced by the Super Hornet and the F-35A fifth-generation fighter.
The country has sold 21 Hornets to Canada, while up to 46 aircraft are being prepared for their sale to US air combat training contractor Air USA.
