VA/VFA-27 Royal Maces Unofficial Web Site

VFA-27 Page 2 MIYF

F/A-18A/C Hornet
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Feb. 14, 2003 -- An F/A-18C “Hornet” assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) makes an arrested landing on the ship’s flight deck. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) were ordered to the Central Command Area of Responsibility to join coalition forces. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 17, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) is moved to the flight deck on the starboard-forward aircraft elevator, one of four aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 18, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) stands ready on one of two steam catapults on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 18, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) stands ready on one of two steam catapults on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 20, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) , loaded with a 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided missile, moves into position while another F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam powered catapults aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is currently deployed and operating with coalition forces, conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographerís Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 20, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam powered catapults on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during night raids on Iraq. Kitty Hawk is deployed with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographerís Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 22, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' walks across the flight deck prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' checks one of the 500 pound laser guided bombs mounted on the wing of his jet prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, March 23, 2003. Sunday was the 'toughest day of resistance' so far encountered by U.S.-led forces in four days of war against Iraq, U.S. Army General John Abizaid said on Sunday. REUTERS/Paul Hanna
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet pilot Commander Mike Vance from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' gives the thumbs up prior to taking off from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier for a mission over Iraq (news - web sites) March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) -- An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' checks one of the 500 pound laser guided bombs mounted on the wing of his jet prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 26, 2003) -- Visibility on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) is greatly reduced as it passes through a strong sandstorm in the Arabian Gulf. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) including the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 27, 2003) -- Two F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Strike Fighter Squadron 27 'Royal Maces' from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier fly past an S-3B Viking carrying laser guided and GPS guided bombs, following a refueling operation over the Euphrates Valley in Iraq, March 27, 2003. EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/HO
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 27, 2003) -- Aviation Ordnancemen transfer GBU-31 joint defense attack munitions (JDAM) to ready Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) aircraft including F/A-18C Hornets assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked CVW-5 are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 27, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam-powered catapults aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 28, 2003) -- U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Kekeisen from Lakehurst, N.J., stands duty as safety observer along the flight deck foul-line as an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 28, 2003) -- F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet pilot Brad Converse of Strike Fighter Squadron 27 'Royal Maces' walks past his jet after returning to the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier from a bombing mission over Iraq March 28, 2003. The carriers airwing provided close air support to British and American ground troops yesterday dropping sixteen 1,000 pound laser guided bombs, four JSOW (Joint Standoff Attack Weapon) and three 1,000 pound unguided bombs and targeted Iraqi tanks and helicopters. REUTERS/Paul Hanna
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 30, 2003) -- A High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is positioned on an F/A-18C Hornet during night flight operations aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The HARM missile was first deployed aboard Kitty Hawk in January 1984. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 30, 2003) -- Aviation Ordnancemen relocate a Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) on the flight deck past GBU-31 Joint Defense Attack Munitions (JDAM) aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 2, 2003) -- An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty Seven (VFA-27) launches past onlooking shooters located at the bow of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)
	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 3, 2003) -- Two F/A-18C Hornets loaded wiith bombs from Squadron VFA-27 Royal Maces off the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk are refueled by an Air Force KC-135 tanker over Kuwait, Thursday April 3, 2003. Hornets from the squadron dropped ordnance over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (AP Photo/US NAVY)
	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 4, 2003) -- While the Prowler spent about one hour over Baghdad, another Kitty Hawk pilot was one of many working farther south in the Basra area. Lieutenant Commander Mark Johnson, 35, said he was assigned to support Marine Corps units heading north. His F/A-18 Hornet attack fighter carried laser-guided 500-pound bombs but Johnson said he was not called in to drop them, apparently because US forces were not meeting resistance. "You could see in certain places we went to where there were some columns moving north. I didn't see any columns coming down south to meet them," said Johnson, of Strike Fighter Squadron 27, known as the Royal Maces. (AFP)
	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 5, 2003) -- A plane handler watches the launch of an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the Gulf, Saturday April 5, 2003. Planes from the ship continued missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom over Iraq. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 10, 2003) -- An Aircraft Director maneuvers an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) into a holding position while it waits to be launched from one of four steam powered catapults on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Bo Flannigan. (RELEASED)
	The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 11, 2003) -- Steam from the catapult rises as an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) readies for take off on the flight deck of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, in the northern Gulf, April 11 2003. The carrier and its strike group is conducting missions in support of the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	Atsugi, Japan (May 1, 2003) -- Back Home. [Image Source - US Navy]
	Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan (May 1, 2003) -- What it's all about... [Image Source - US Navy]

Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	2003 - Outstanding picture of "Nuts" launching. [Image Source - US Navy]
	2003 - Nose-on approach to Atsugi. [Image Source - Japanese Web Page]
	2003 - Mace flight line. [Image Source - Takafumi Hiroe - http://www.gonavy.jp/]
Hi Resolution Photo Click Here	Mar. 23, 2004 - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) is launched from one of four steam-powered catapults on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is America’s oldest active aircraft carrier and is the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in service. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman, Bo J. Flannigan. (RELEASED) [Image Source - US Navy]
	2004 - The new VFA-27 Skipper CDR. Bynum "Spock" riding the "Wild Thing". [Image Source - US Navy]
	June, 2004 - Notice the Modex??? No, the Maces have not changed to 3XX. These were hornets transferred to the VFA-192 Golden Dragons and have yet to be painted. [Image Source - Go Navy Website]
	2004 - 201 sitting on the NAF Atsugi flight line. [Image Source - Japanese Web Site]
	2004 - CAG taxiing on the NAF Atsugi flight line. [Image Source - Japanese Web Site]
	2004 - Final checkers giving the thumbs-up to launch this Mace. [Image Source - Joshua H. Mann]
	ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) AT SEA (Mar. 23, 2004) –- Plane directors, or “yellow shirts,” direct aircraft onto catapults as a shooter keeps a close eye on all of the movement on the flight deck aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). [Image Source - US Navy]
	ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) AT SEA (April 7, 2004) – An F/A-18C Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, the “Royal Maces,” launches from the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The F/A-18C’s superb flight characteristics and payload versatility make it a true force multiplier. [Image Source - US Navy]

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Site Launched March 7, 2000