PHOTO: Blue Angels at the Airpower Over the Midwest air show

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100911-N-4128S-052 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (Sept. 11, 2010) The U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, perform aerial maneuvers over Scott Air Force Base during the Airpower Over the Midwest air show as part of St. Louis Navy Week. St. Louis Navy Week is one of 19 Navy Weeks planned across America for 2010. Navy Weeks show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph Seavey/Released)

Bengals arrive Down Under for Southern Frontier

The F/A-18D Hornets of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, or VMFA(AW)-224, known as the Bengals, have arrived at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, in the Northern Territory, for Exercise Southern Frontier. The squadron is accompanied by 300 Marines and supported by Marine Air Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12.

VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals arrive at Iwakuni on UDP

Marine All Weather Figher Attack Squadron 224, the Bengals, with 12 F/A-18D Hornets has arrived at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan for a 6 month rotation on the Unit Deployment Program. The unit arrived from its participation in RIMPAC and will also participate in various exercises around the Pacific Rim in the coming months.

PHOTO: VMFA(AW)-242 Bats Boss Bird

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100727-M-0855M-099 Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242's flag plane is taxied in preparation for a sortie during exercise Invincible Spirit here July 27. Invincible Spirit was a joint combined exercise where the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Republic of Korea forces worked together to demonstrate solidarity and a commitment to work together. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Marianelli)

USMC UDP update

The Harriers of VMA-542 Tigers and F/A-18Ds of VMFA-224 Bengals are currently at Kadena Airbase, Okinawa and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan respectively as part of the Marines' Unit Deployment Program (UDP). They replace VMA-311 Tomcats and VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes.

PHOTO: VMFA-312 Boss bird

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100804-N-6362C-229 ARABIAN SEA (Aug. 4, 2010) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Checkerboards of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, ignites afterburners during a launch from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell/Released)

PHOTO: Let the (war)games begin!

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20100730raaf8160785_0047 Wing Commander Glenn Beck of Red Force, calls "Showtime" over the radio, before letting out a flare to commence the mission during exercise Pitch Black.

More RAAF F/A-18 photos at this Pitch Black Gallery.

PHOTO: VMFA-232 Boss bird

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A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft prepares to refuel over Afghanistan July 8, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin/Released via The Boston Globe)

Being in the right place at the right time

Ian Martens, the news photographer who caught the recent RCAF Hornet crash has said that it was "one of the most unforgettable moments of my entire career".

PHOTO: VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes boss bird at MCAS Iwakuni

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VFA-94’s CAG bird taxis back to its hangar after a function check at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. VFA-94 was deployed at Iwakuni as part of the Marines' Unit Deployment Program (UDP) where Navy or Marine Corps F/A-18 units are temporarily deployed to Iwakuni on six-month rotations. Note that the aircraft's colourful markings also apply to its drop tanks. The letters SHWFOTS on the tail stands for "Shit Hot World Famous Orange Tail Shrikes" (otherwise known as The Mighty Shrikes). The Mighty Shrikes finished their deployment and departed Iwakuni on July 16th. (USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. Marcel C. Brown)

Canadian Hornet crashes; pilot ejects

A Canadian CF-18 has crashed at the Alberta International Airshow. The pilot has safely ejected with seconds to spare.

UPDATE: MSNBC has higher res photos on their Photoblog.

PHOTO: RAAF Hornet carrying Lockheed Martin Paveway II E-LGTR

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20100723raaf8540652_0008 Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet takes off from RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2010. (ADF Photo)

Base Leg Note: The aircraft is carrying the Lockheed Martin Paveway II E-LGTR (Enhanced Laser Guided Training Round). More information on Lockheed Martin's website.