RAAF Hornet: War Memorial given retired F/A-18A fighter from RAAF Base Tindal that bombed Iraq and ISIS

AN F/A-18A Hornet from RAAF Base Tindal — which was used in the fight against ISIS — is now a proud part of the Australian War Memorial’s collection

Group Captain Michael "Cleetus" Grant has flown fighter jets for more than 20 years. The F/A-18A donated to the Australian War Memorial will bear his name. Picture: Craig Dunlop

AFTER years helping to liberate Iraq from Saddam Hussein, then fighting ISIS, one of the Australian’s most battle-worn figher jets will serve out its retirement in a shed outside Canberra.

Of the many pilots who flew the jet, Group Captain Michael “Cleetus” Grant, was given the honour of having his name appear just below the cockpit, as it was during his three, three-year postings at 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory.

Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore Phil Gordon on Friday said the air force was proud to hand over the “remarkable” F/A-18A to the Australian War Memorial.

The Royal Australian Air Force has donated this F/A-18A to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Picture: Craig Dunlop

“When I first flew the Hornet in 1993, it still had that new car smell,” he said.

“It proved itself time and again in operations at home and abroad.

“But the Hornet’s time has come, it’s gone as far as it can, it’s time for that next generational change.”

War memorial Director Matt Anderson said the jet was an incredibly important piece of Australian’s military history.

Group Captain Michael "Cleetus" Grant. Picture: Craig Dunlop

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a pilot flying the jet became the first Australian pilot since Vietnam to drop a bomb in anger.

“We will use this aircraft to tell the story of all who have flown in it … of those who have maintained it, those who have fitted it, those who it has flown alongside, those who have flown in support of it,” Mr Anderson said.

There are no immediate plans for the jet to go on permanent display, and it is currently in storage with other important military aircraft at the memorial’s storage facility in Canberra.

Group Captain Grant was one of just three pilots to graduate from his course and join a small group of elite Australian fighter pilots.

“I’m the country kid from northeast Victoria … but I’m pretty proud of where the country kid has ended up, it’s not too shabby,” he said.

Group Captain Grant said he hoped the jet would serve as a tribute to the pilots, ground crews and logistics staff who worked with the Hornets.

The F/A-18A Hornet at the War Memorial’s storage facility in Canberra. Picture: Craig Dunlop

“To be alongside, in the War Memorial, people like John Jackson, the first fighter combat commanding officer at 75 Squadron and his Kittyhawk, what a privelage, I’m lost for words,” he said.

He said it took “about a week to come down” after the first time he was “given the keys” to fly a Hornet in training.

Group Captain Grant said when he first saw his name painted on a fighter jet — as it was for all that time he flew the now-retired Hornet when he was based in Tindal — he was “hooked” into a career in the airforce.

“This is that kid 20 years later,” he said.

F/A-18A Hornet (A21-022) flew in three operations in the Middle East. Picture: Craig Dunlop

Originally published as RAAF Hornet: War Memorial given retired F/A-18A fighter from RAAF Base Tindal that bombed Iraq and ISIS