The F/A-18A Hornet is the first variant of the F/A-18 built by McDonnell Douglas. It entered service in 1983 with the USMC and 1984 with the US Navy.
The Hornet first saw combat against Libya in 1986. The Japan based CVW-5's VFA-151, VFA-192 and VFA-195 squadrons would operate the F/A-18A between 1986 and 1991. This included taking part in the 1991 Gulf War with other US F/A-18As.
The Royal Australian Air Force also operated the F/A-18A until 2021.