This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet's first flight and celebrates 30 years of service by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the U.S. Navy and its allies.
Eric Schmitt
Senator
MO
This resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of the first flight of the F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet and honors its three decades of service to the U.S. Navy and its allies. It recognizes the aircraft's significant operational history, combat contributions, and the dedication of the personnel who fly and maintain it. The resolution also directs that a copy be sent to the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, where the prototype is now displayed.
Resolution Honors F/A-18 Super Hornet's 30 Years of Service, St. Louis Roots
This resolution is all about giving a shout-out to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a workhorse jet for the U.S. Navy, on its 30th anniversary. It kicks off by noting that the very first F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet took its inaugural flight way back on November 29, 1995, right out of St. Louis, Missouri. Basically, it’s a big 'thank you' and 'well done' to the aircraft and everyone involved with it over the last three decades.
From St. Louis Skies to Global Missions
So, what exactly is this Super Hornet we're talking about? It's a twin-engine, carrier-based, multi-role fighter. Think of it as the bigger, beefier cousin to the original F/A-18 Hornet—about 20 percent larger and heavier. The 'E' model is a single-seater, while the 'F' model carries two crew members. It officially joined the U.S. Navy fleet in 1999 and has been pretty busy ever since, flying combat missions from Operation Southern Watch in 2002 to a skirmish with a Syrian jet in 2017. If you caught Top Gun: Maverick, you’ve seen the F/A-18F in action. Even the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, swapped their older jets for the F/A-18E in 2021, showing just how enduring this design is.
Honoring the Hardware and the Hands-On Crew
Beyond the planes themselves, this resolution makes a point to recognize the dedication of the U.S. Navy pilots and weapons system officers who’ve flown these jets, often in high-stakes situations. It also gives a nod to the maintenance teams who keep these complex machines flying, highlighting their "expert and agile support." Basically, it’s acknowledging that behind every piece of impressive military tech are a lot of skilled people making it all happen. The resolution specifically points out the Super Hornet’s role in "maintaining naval supremacy and ensuring freedom of the seas," which is a pretty big job description. As a nice touch, the resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send an official copy to the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, where the original F/A-18 E1 prototype was reassembled and dedicated in August 2024. It’s a way to cement its place in history, both in the air and on the ground.