Article Posted on : - Dec 08, 2010

The first five Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Super Hornets fly over their new home at RAAF Base Amberley on March 26, 2010. A Boeing photo

SYDNEY (BNS): With the arrival of four new aircraft, Australia’s first squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets is operational and ready for duty.

The Super Hornets will add to the fire power of the RAAF, taking Australia’s capability to the next generation of fighter plane, a statement by the Ministry of Defence said Wednesday.

The fleet includes the first three of Australia’s Super Hornets to be configured to accommodate the Growler electronic attack system.

The Super Hornets will ensure Australia's air combat capability is maintained until the full introduction into service of the Joint Strike Fighter, it said.

The four newly arrived aircraft departed from the Boeing facility in St. Louis USA, and over a number of days transited to RAAF Base Amberley via Travis Air Force Base California, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and Guam.