This USMC Hornet was an FA-18A+ model that served with VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles".
It was the assigned Hornet of CAG Capt P.F. Rainey and DCAG Capt J.K. Cook.
I have included two "line" Hornets, one tail-coded "AC" from the same cruise aboard the USS Harry S. Truman,
the other a later Hornet, coded "VE", based at MCAS Beaufort. This one also has the legend: "Silver Eagles" painted
on the fuel tanks.
I have depicted as it appeared during its cruise aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in 2004.
Tragically druring this cruise the "Silver Eagles" suffered the loss of one of their pilots,
Capt Franklin "Puj" Hooks, to an accident when he is believed to have lost conciousness due
to oxygen deprivation.
He was never recovered.
In his honour VMFA-115 placed his name on a banner that is painted across the United States flag
design on the airbrake.
