Following a week-long farewell tour around New South Wales, the Royal Australian Air Force’s No 77 Squadron has ceased its 33-year operation of the Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18A/B Hornet multi-role fighter.
December 11, 2020, marked the end of an era for the unit that began operating the platform in 1987 and RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales (NSW), which has hosted the F/A-18A/B under No 81 Wing since it entered service in 1985. While the legacy Hornet has stung for the final time with 77 Squadron, it does not spell the end of the venerable fighter’s time with the service, as its employment will continue under No 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal in Australia’s Northern Territory until later this year.
![RAAF F/A-18A [Commonwealth of Australia - Department of Defence/Sgt David Gibbs]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/30-36_AFM%20MAR_No%2077%20Sqn_01%20%5BLEAD%5D.jpg)
