Airforces

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #367 OCTOBER 2018 // 53

These modified aircraft were called F/A-

18A++ and are still in operation today.

Since the turn of the century VMFA-112’s

Hornets have participated in several exercises

and deployments including Bright Star, held

in Egypt in 2000. Two years later they were

deployed to support Operation Jungle Shield

and Exercise Southern Frontier, during which

they operated from Japan, Australia and Guam.

In 2003 the ‘Cowboys’ flew to Ørland in

Norway to take part in exercise Battle Griffin

and in late 2009 went to Al Asad Air Base

in Iraq to conduct close air support and

other missions. During this time the US

ground troops withdrew from Iraq and the

‘Cowboys’ became the last squadron to

leave the country. Their final deployment

was to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in 2014.

Reservists

Being a reservist unit, personnel only come

together during drill weekends, which is one

Saturday and Sunday per month, and for two

single weeks per year, plus deployments.

The part-time role allows people to have

a career outside the military, while still

“Although it’s an old aircraft, the F/A-18A++ is still a lethal platform, but we

do have our challenges keeping these old birds fl ying with a small group of

maintainers and obtaining the necessary spare parts”. Maj Christopher Dingman

enabling them to serve their country. The

reservists bring years of experience to

the squadron and are highly valued.

Around 50 marines work full time on the

engineering side of the unit, supported

by approximately 100 reservists. This

is low compared with an operational

squadron; the latter would have around

200 maintainers and newer aircraft.

Maj Christopher Dingman, the unit’s

maintenance officer, gave an overview of

the challenges of operating these legacy

Hornets: “Although it’s an old aircraft, the

F/A-18A++ is still a lethal platform, but we

do have our challenges keeping these old

birds flying with a small group of maintainers

and obtaining the necessary spare parts.

Because we are reservists we have a lower

priority than the operational squadrons

within the USMC. The experience of our

maintainers compared with an operational

squadron is sensational and that helps us.”

All the F/A-18s in VMFA-112’s

inventory have clocked more than

6,000 hours and one aircraft has

already passed 9,000 flying hours.

Every 200 hours of flying an aircraft gets a

major inspection in which mechanical parts and

undercarriage are checked, small modifications

are made, and corrosion is looked for. The

fighters are washed every two weeks and after

50 hours the engine gets a new filter and the

aircraft is X-rayed. Maintainer and Gunnery

Sergeant (GySgt) Jason Bryant explained: “We

X-ray our aircraft to detect cracks and we focus

on the wings and flaps.” The scanning work

normally takes an hour and can be done in

the unit’s hangar. If more detailed checks are

needed, the aircraft can be towed to another

building where manual X-raying can take place.

‘Cowboys’ look forward

However, newer aircraft are on their way. The

first F/A-18C+ jets were scheduled to arrive

this summer and replace the unit’s older

single-seat examples. Boeing is modifying

30 legacy F/A-18Cs recovered from the

‘boneyard’ at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona

to C+ standard for the USMC. VMFA-112

will be one of the first squadrons within the

service to receive this type and transition

will take place over the next two years.

Top: F/A-18A++ Hornets ‘Cowboy 11’ and ‘Cowboy

12’ over Texas. via Northern Skies Aviation

Above: One of the few active pilots within VMFA-

112 is Maj Michael Reid, seen here signing the

last documents before starting another mission.

He fl ew with VMFA(AW)-242 before joining the

‘Cowboys’ in June 2016. Left: A ‘Cowboys’ three-

ship ready for departure from its home base. A

B-model Hornet heads the line-up.

50-55 VMFA112 AFM Oct2018.indd 53 9/10/2018 9:55:34 AM