USN F-18 Hornet VFA-122 USS Nimitz CVN-68 2012
Photo Description: A left side view photo of a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft ( BuNo - 163733 ) assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 ( VFA-122 ) Flying Eagles, a fleet replacement squadron for the F/A-18A and F/A-18D legacy Hornets, prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz ( CVN-68 ). The aircraft is still wearing a special World War II authentic paint scheme paying tribute to Air Group 17, which flew off the USS Hornet (CV-12) in 1945. The paint scheme was applied in 2011 to celebrate the Centennial Of Naval Aviation ( CoNA ). The Nimitz is underway conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications in the Pacific Ocean.
Photo Credit: DoD/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan J. Mayes
Photo Date: 11 August 2012
Photo Location: Pacific Ocean
Photo ID: F180332