The Royal Australian Air Force’s 6 Squadron has completed its last F/A-18F Super Hornet flight as the unit prepares to introduce the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft into service.
Six jets from RAAF Base Amberley-based 6SQN took part in a farewell flight over southern Queensland on November 23, the unit’s last flight with the Super Hornet before handing over the aircraft to sister unit 1 Squadron, Australian Aviation reports.
6SQN will now focus entirely on introducing the Growler into service in 2017, ahead of initial operating capability with the aircraft in 2018. Meanwhile, 1SQN will operate all 24 of the RAAF’s Super Hornets, with 6SQN’s Super Hornet aircrew training role shared between 1SQN and the US Navy.
Operational conversion of Super Hornet pilots and air combat officers will be undertaken by the US Navy, while the newly enlarged 1SQN’s C Flight will conduct operational transition training, where aircrew that have completed the USN Super Hornet conversion are trained in RAAF processes and procedures.