Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD -- The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Admiral Vern Clark, joined an audience of fleet operators, Navy F/A-18 program leadership, Boeing executives and production line personnel, to celebrate the 100th delivery of an F/A-18 Super Hornet. The airplane, a two-seat "F" model, was delivered during a ceremony on Friday, June 14, 2002, at Boeing in St. Louis.

"The 100th Super Hornet is a significant milestone in this very successful program," said Adm Clark. "The Hornet Industry-Navy team is producing an aircraft with greater range, striking power and survivability that will project dominant and decisive offensive power around the world well into the 21st century."

The F/A-18F modeled delivered to the U.S. Navy is slated to become part of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, currently a F-14 squadron (VF-102) scheduled to transition to Super Hornet in the near future.

The CNO energized the fleet operators in attendance by directing them to "go write some history." The Super Hornet is scheduled to deploy with Strike Fighter Squadron 115 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) later this year.

Eleven weapons stations carry a vast array of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons including precision-guided munitions. The Super Hornet can carry more than 17,000 pounds of ordnance and more than 30,000 pounds of fuel. Equipped with an aerial refueling system, the Super Hornet also can serve as a tactical airborne tanker.

For more information concerning the F/A-18 aircraft, contact Denise Deon Wilson at 301-481-6263 or visit http://pma265.navair.navy.mil.

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Caption: Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Vern Clark views the 100th F/A-18 Super Hornet delivered to the U.S. Navy.