HORNET THE HUNTER

During the months before the outbreak of hostilities in the Gulf War, Hornets flew round-the-clock Combat Air Patrols to provide top cover for Allied fleets. They played a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Iraqi aircraft probing their defences before turning away, but when the war started its was a different game, and in deadly Ernest. US Navy and Marine Corps F-18s were among the first allied aircraft to cross the Iraqi border and they remained in the thick of the fighting throughout the air campaign.

In addition to flying escort and sweep missions in support of strike aircraft to and from targets deep within Iraqi territory. Hornets also flew bombing and defence suppression missions and participated in raids on Baghdad. They flew more than 10,000 sorties and 25,000 flight hours during Operation Desert Storm shooting down 2 Iraqi Mig 21’s.

The Signatures

✅ This Limited Edition has been personally signed by 14 F/A-18A pilots from 1 CAG, CFB Baden-Sollingen. The full list reads:

• Lt Col MIKE STACEY
• Lt Col ED CAMPBELL
• Maj ROB GODWIN
• Capt NORM GAGNE
• Capt THOMAS CHESTER
• Capt MICHAEL WATT
• Capt ARNIE TATE
• Capt SCOTT WHITLEY
• Capt IAN McCRIMMON
• Capt ANTHONY SURA
• Capt MICHAEL W. McERLEAN (USMC*)
• Flt Lt DAVE BILLINGTON (RAF)
• Capt JOEL J ROY
• Capt BRYN CHRISTOPHER