A21-57 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (MSN 834/AF-57) of 75 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, based at RAAF Base Tindal, NT, still in 3 Squadron markings, and with 42 combat mission markings on the nose, at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia – 21 February 2020. Arriving from Tindal via Broome, for Exercise Phoenix Black and Exercise Nigrum Pugio. The Hornets provided air support for exercises with Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) personnel. The exercises ran from 23 February to 6 March 2020, with practice bombing and gunnery in the first week and explosive ordnance expended in the second week, at Lancelin Range. The aircraft is carrying an SUU-20 practice bomb dispenser and LITENING AT targeting pod. A21-57 was delivered to the RAAF on 12 May 1990 and was the last Australian ‘classic’ Hornet delivered to the RAAF. As the older F/A-18A and B ‘Classic’ Hornets are gradually being retired, the fleet is being consolidated, so aircraft still have tail markings from their previous units. Photo © David Eyre.