The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a highly versatile carrier-based fighter and attack aircraft that became a cornerstone of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation. Entering service in the early 1980s, the twin-engine Hornet was designed to perform both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack missions, giving it the “F/A” designation for fighter and attack. Fast, agile, and capable of carrying a wide variety of missiles, bombs, and precision-guided weapons, the F/A-18 proved especially well suited to the demanding environment of aircraft carrier operations. Hornets served aboard the USS Midway during the carrier’s final years and flew combat missions from the ship during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, shortly before Midway was decommissioned. With its distinctive twin tails, swept wings, and exceptional versatility, the F/A-18 Hornet represents the culmination of the Midway’s remarkable evolution from operating World War II-era propeller aircraft to sophisticated modern jet fighters.