OUR PROJECTS

F-18

This F/A-18C was disassembled and loaded onto a C-5 at NAS Pensacola FL and flown out to the Oakland International Airport in CA. The aircraft was then loaded onto a semi-truck and trailer at the airport and drove over to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda CA. The aircraft was then reassembled on the pier and raised up to the ship by Biggie crane. The aircraft is now on display on the ship. The BuNo of this aircraft is 163502 and was 1 of 2 F/A-18 that had combat kills in Operation Desert Storm. Both aircraft have credit for shooting down Migs. This aircraft 163502 was piloted by Lt Nicholas “Mongo” Mongillo and served on the USS Saratoga (CV 60) at the time. Aircraft 163502 and 163508 both were credited with shooting down Iraqi Air Force Mig-21s on January 17th, 1991. This was the Only U.S. Navy air-to-air victories during the Gulf War.