Aircraft Factsheets
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Units

As the F/A-18 was specifically adapted for naval use, the US Navy and marines are heavy users of the aircraft. All variants have been operational over the last years both on carrier and land-based assignments.

United States Navy

List compiled December 2025.

Unit F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F Notes
VFA-2 "Bounty Hunters" - - Former F-14D unit. July 2003 transitioned to F/A-18F.
165916/NE-100
 Active
VFA-11 "Red Rippers" - - Former F-14B unit. 5 November 2005 finished transition to F/A-18F. Active
VFA-14 "Tophatters" - - 2003, former F-14 unit transitioned to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-15 "Valions" Former A-7 unit, redesignated 1 October 1986, flying F/A-18A. 1992 transitioned to F/A-18C - Deactivated 31 May 2017
VFA-22 "Fighting Redcocks" - 1990 transitioned from A-7 to F/A-18C. July 2004 transitioned to F/A-18E. End 2007 fully transitioned to F/A-18F Active
VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" Former A-7 unit (VA-25) transferred to F/A-18A 1 July 1984. Transitioned to F/A-18C, June 1989. Completed transition to F/A-18E, January 2013.
166959/NA-400
 Active
VFA-27 "Chargers" / "Royal Maces" Transitioned to the F/A-18A on 24 January 1991 December 1994 transition to F/A-18C Completed transition to the F/A-18E in October 2004.
168363/NF-200
 4 June 1996, name changed to "Royal Maces" Active
VFA-31 "Tomcatters" - - Late 2006, transitioned from F-14D to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-32 "Fighting Swordsmen" - - Former F-14 unit. October 2005, transitioned to F/A-18F. Active
VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" - Former VA-34 A-6E unit began transition to F/A-18C in 1996. 2018, transitioned to F/A-18E. The final unit that flew the legacy Hornet (until 1 February 2019). Active.
VFA-37 "Ragin’ Bulls" - October 1990 transitioned from A-7E to F/A-18C July 2018 retired last F/A-18C, fully operational on F/A-18E Active
VFA-41 "Black Aces" - - Late 2001 transitioned to F/A-18F. Former F-14 unit. Active
VFA-81 "Sunliners - Former A-7 unit transitioned to F/A-18C, 4 February 1988. June 2008, started transition to F/A-18E Lost a F/A-18C during first night of the Gulf War. Active.
VFA-82 "Marauders" - Former A-7 unit, converted to F/A-18C, 15 July 1987.
165200/AB-300
 - First A-7 unit to directly convert to F/A-18C. Deactivated 30 September 2005.
VFA-83 "Rampagers" - Former A-7 unit, transitioned to F/A-18C, 1 February 1988. 2018 transitioned to F/A-18E Active
VFA-86 "Sidewinders" - Former A-7 unit, redesignated by July 1987, flying F/A-18C. Late 2010 transitioned to F/A-18E First East Coast unit to receive F/A-18C. Active
VFA-87 "Golden Warriors" Former A-7E unit, converted to F/A-18A, 1 May 1986. June 1991, equipped with F/A-18C. Transferred to F/A-18A+ in 2006. Transitioned back to F/A-18C in 2012.
164675/AJ-401
 2016 transitioned to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-94 "Mighty Shrikes" - June 1990, received the first F/A-18C, transitioning from A-7 End 2015 started transition to F/A-18F. Let the first missions of Operation Enduring Freedom. Active
VFA-97 "Warhawks" 24 January 1991 transitioned to F/A-18A 2003, transition to F/A-18C Late 2013, transitioned to F/A-18E 2021, the squadron received its first F-35C. Active
VFA-102 "Diamondbacks" -- - Former F-14 unit, transitioned to F/A-18F in 2003. Active
VFA-103 "Jolly Rogers" - - December 2004, transitioned to F/A-18F. Former F-14B unit.
168493/AG-200
 Active
VFA-105 "Gunslingers" - Transitioned from A-7E to F/A-18C December 1990 July 2006, transition to the F/A-18E. First East Coast squadron to transition to the F/A-18E. Active
VFA-106 "Gladiators" April 27, 1984 started flying the F/A-18A/B

 December 1987, received first F/A-18C/D models 2004 transformed to F/A-18E/F. Fleet Readiness Squadron, training unit. Active.
VFA-113 "Stingers" Transition from A-7E to F/A-18A August 1983 1989 transition to F/A-18C February 2016, transitioned to F/A-18E.
168877/NE-200
 First unit to convert A model to F/A-18C. Last unit to convert C to E model. Active
VFA-115 "Eagles" - Former A-6 unit. Began transition to F/A-18C October 1996. Ens 2001, transitioned to F/A-18E. First unit to receive F/A-18E and ATFLI targeting pod. Active
VFA-122 "Flying Eagles" - - Established Januari 1999. First squadron to operate F/A-18E / F Fleet replacement training unit. Active
VFA-125 "Rough Raiders" Received first F/A-18A/B April 1981. Also operating F/A-18A+ and F/A-18C/D - First to fly the F/A-18A from a carrier (Fleet Readiness Squadron) Deactivated Oktober 2010. Re-activated in 2017 to fly F-35C.
VFA-127 "Royal Blues" 1992 transferred from F-5E/F to F/A-18A/B - - Deactivated March 1996
VFA-131 "Wildcats" Established 3 October 1983. F/A-18A September 1990 transferred to F/A-18C September 2017 transferred to F/A-18E First Atlantic Hornet squadron. Active
VFA-132 "Privateers" Established 9 January 1984. F/A-18A - - Sister squadron to VFA-131. Deactivated June 1992.
VFA-136 "Knight Hawks" Established 1 July 1985. Received first F/A-18A January 1986. 1990, transferred to F/A-18C.
163718/AB-300
 June 2008 transferred to F/A-18E Active
VFA-137 "Kestrels" Established 1 July 1985. F/A-18A September 1992, transferred to F/A-18C June 2003, transferred to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-143 "Pukin' Dogs" - - 2005 transitioned from F-14B to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-146 "Blue Diamonds" - 18 November 1989 received first F/A-18C 2015, transferred to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-147 "Argonauts" - Transition from A-7E to F/A-18C. First aircraft received 6 December 1989 October 2007 transferred to F/A-18E.
166437/NH-200
 Active
VFA-151 "Vigilantes" June 1986 transitioned from F-4J to F/A-18A. February 1993 upgraded to F/A-18C February 2013, transferred to F/A-18E. One of two squadrons transferring direct from F-4 to F-18.
VFA-154 "Black Knights" - - started transition to F/A-18F in 2003. Former F-14 unit. Active
VFA-161 "Chargers" Transitioned from F-4 to F/A-18A starting October 1986. - - VFA-161 was disestablished on 1 April 1988.
VFA-192 "World Famous Golden Dragons" Former A-7 unit converted to F/A-18A. Transformation was completed 10 January 1986. June 1998 upgraded to F/A-18C.
164029/NF-300
 March 2014 transferred to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-195 "Dambusters" A-7E united transitioned to F/A-18 1 April 1985. August 1991 transitioned to F/A-18C Late 2010 transitioned to F/A-18E. Active
VFA-201 "Hunters" F-14 unit transformed to F/A-18A January 1999. - - Deactivated 30 June 2007.
VFA-203 "Blue Dolphins" Transitioned A-7E to F/A-18A October 1989. - - Reserve Squadron. Disestablished 30 June 2004.
VFA-204 "River Rattlers" Another E-7E united transferred to F/A-18A April 1991.
161967/AF-406
 - - Reserve Squadron. Redesignated VFC-204 in 2022, transferred to F-5N/F.
VFA-211 "Fighting Checkmates" - - Former F-14 unit. 2004 transitioned to F/A-18F. Active
VFA-213 "Black Lions" - - April 2006, transitioned to F/A-18F. Former F-14 unit. Active
VFA-303 "Golden Hawks" Former A-7 unit transferred to F/A-18A, January 1984. - - First Hornet reserve squadron. Disestablished 31 December 1994.
VFA-305 "Lobos" Former A-7 unit, converted to F/A-18A 18 January 1987. - - Disestablished 31 December 1994.

Other units

Unit F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F Notes
VFC-12 "fighting Omars" 1994 transferred from A-4 / TA-4J to F/A-18A/B, 2004 upgraded to F/A-18A+
161924/AF-415
 2006 upgraded to F/A-18C, 2012 transitioned back to the F/A-18A+ 2021 converted to the F/A-18E and F. Adversary Squadron. Active
VFC-13 "Saints" September 1993 transitioned from A-4F to F/A-18A/B - - Adversary Squadron.
April 1996 transferred to F-5 and later to F-16N (2022).
Active
Blue Angels 1986 Operated 8 F/A-18A and 1F/A-18Bs.
161959/2
 2010 upgraded to F/A-18C / D.
163451/1
 2020 transitioned to F/A-18E and F model. Active

Research, Test and Evaluation units

Unit F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F Notes
VX-4 "The Evaluators" Late 1991 started testing with Hornets. 9 F/A-18A) XF tailcode for evaluation. 1991, also operated F/A-18C/D models next to the A model. - Disestablished 30 September 1994. Merged into VX-9
VX-5 "The Vampires" F/A-18A and B. "XE" tails code Also operated C/D model - Mered into VX-9
VX-9 "The Vampires" F/A-18E/F and EA-18G in operation. 1993, Merger of VX-4 and 5.
VX-23 "Salty Dogs" F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Established July 1995. Active
VX-31 "Dust Devils" - F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F and EA-18G in operation. Established April 2002
Naval Air Test Center F/A-18A - - VX-23 is part of the NATC
Pacific Missile Test Center - - Operates EA-18G for testing.
Naval Weapons Center VX-9 and VX-31 are part of the NWC.
Naval Stike and Warfare Center (NSAWC), now called NAWDC (Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center) F/A-18A F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F and EA-18G
NASA F/A-18 A/B obtained from Navy between 1984 and 1991.
161519/843
 Single F/A-18D in use since 2023 - 3 A models and 4 B models still in use today!

Navy Growler units

Unit EA-18G Notes
VAQ-129 "Vikings" Summer 2005, transferred from EA-6B to EA-18G.
166858/NJ-550
 Active
VAQ-130 "Zappers" March 2011 started transition from EA-6B to EA-18G. Active
VAQ-131 "Lancers" May 2014 transitioned from EA-6B to EA-18G. Active
VAQ-132 "Scorpions" November 2008 transferred from EA-6B to EA-18G Active
VAQ-133 "Wizards" Former EA-6B unit, transitioned to EA-18G mid 2014. Active
VAQ-134 "Garudas" 2016, transition from EA-6B to EA-18G Active
VAQ-135 "Black Ravens" November 2010, transferred from EA-6B to EA-18G Active
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" February 2013 started EA-18G operations. Former EA-6B unit. Active
VAQ-137 "Rooks" EA-6B to EA-18G transition October 2013. Active
VAQ-138 "Yellow Jackets" End 2009 started transition from EA-6B to EA-18G. Active
VAQ-139 "Cougars" 2013 started transition from EA-6B to EA-18G. Active
VAQ-140 "Patriots" Completed transition to EA-18G July 2014. Former EA-6B unit.
168375/AG-500
 Active
VAQ-141 "Shadowhawks" February 2010 started EA-18G operations, transitioned from EA-6B Active
VAQ-142 "The Gray Wolves" 2014 transitioned EA-6B to EA-18G. Active
VAQ-209 "Star Warriors" 2014 transferred from EA-6B to EA-18G Active

United States Marine Corps

Unit F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F Notes
VMFA-112 "Cowboys" F-4S converted to F/A-18A, 8 October 1992. In 2002 upgraded to F/A-18A+ - Last active F-4S squadron in naval service. Reserve Squadron, still active.
VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles" Former F-4 unit, transitioned to F/A-18A 1 January 1985. End 2001 converted to F/A-18A+
Also operated F/A-18C aircraft.		 - Still active, converted to F-35C.
VMFA(AW)-121 "Green Knights" - December 1989, F/A-18D - First USMC F/A-18 Night Attack squadron. Transitioned to F-35B, November 2012
VMFA-122 "Flying Leathernecks" 20 January 1986 transitioned from F-4S to F/A-18A October 2001, F/A-18C
164264/DC-01
 - Previously known as "Crusaders" and "The Werewolves". Transitioned to F-35B.
VMFA-134 "Smoke" Former F-4 unit, transitioned to F/A-18A in 1989. - - 2007 disestablished to cadre status.
VMFA-142 "Flying Gators" Converted from A-4M to F/A-18, December 1990. - - placed in cadre status, July 2008
VMFA-212 "Lancers" - Transitioned from F-4S to F/A-18C in 1988. - Decommissioned in 2008
VMFA(AW)-224 "Fighting Bengals" - Transitioned from A-6 to F/A-18D
164886/WK-00
 - Operating in the All Weather (AW) role. April 2025 began transition to F-35B.
VMFA(AW)-225 "Vikings" - Established 1 July 1991 operating the F/A-18D. - 2021 transitioned to F-35B.
VMFA-232 "Red Devils" Early 1989 transitioned to F/A-18 from F-4 Operated F/A-18C. 2010, 2 F/A-18Ds were added - Active, transitioned to F-35C.
VMFA-235 "Death Angels" - November 1989 transitioned to F/A-18C.
 - Disestablished 14 June 1996.
VMFA(AW)-242 "Bats" - December 1990, transitioned from A-6E to F/A-18D - Active. October 2020 transitioned to F-35B.
VMFA-251 January 1986 transitioned to F/A-18A from F-4. 1994 transitioned to F/A-18C - Active, Transitioned to F-35C September 2024.
VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" July 1987 transitioned from F-4S to F/A-18A. April 1991, transitioned to F/A-18C/D model
164889/AC-200
 - Active, will transition to F-35B in 2028.
VMFA-314 "Black Knights" 1982 received first F/A-18As. February 1996, took on 18 new F/A-18Cs. - First tactical squadron to operate the Hornet.
2019 Transitioned to F-35C.
VMFA-321 "Hell’s Angels" 1991 transitioned from F-4S to F/A-18A. - - Marine Corps Reserve squadron, decommissioned 11 September 2004.
VMFA(AW)-332 "Moonlighters" - September 1993 transitioned to F/A-18D from A-6 becoming an all weather squadron.
 - Active, 2025 began transition to F-35C
VMFA-333 "Fighting Shamrocks" October 1987, transitioned from F-4S to F/A-18 - - Disestablished 31 March 1992.
VMFA-451 "Warlords" September 1987 moved from F-4S to F/A-18A. - - Deactivated 31 January 1997. Re-activated as VMFAT-501, April 2010, converted to F-35B.
VMFA-531 "Grey Ghosts" Received first F/A-18As, 29 May 1984. - - Decommissioned 27 March 1992.
VMFA(AW)-533 "Hawks" - September 1992 started operating the F/A-18D. - Active. Late 2024 transitioned to F-35B.

Other marines units

Unit F/A-18A/B F/A-18C/D F/A-18E/F Notes
VMFAT-101 ‘Sharpshooters" F-4S converted to F/A-18A/B, September 1987. In January 2010 upgraded to F/A-18C/D
164903/SH-101
 - 29 September 2023, Decommissioned after 54 years.
United States Test Pilot School (USNTPS) Also operates the F/A-18F.
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