The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.
The unit that is now known as VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet” began in 1943 as VT-17. Over the years they have been known as VA-6B, VA-65, VA-25 and VFA-25 in 1983 when the squadron began training in the new F/A-18A. In 2012 VFA-25 successfully completed a combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and returning home to NAS Lemoore they began their transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. F/A-18E 166959 was accepted by the USN in 2006 and in 2013 was transferred from VFA-122 to VFA-25 and became NJ/400 CAG aircraft.