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Lt. Brandon "Fart" Gasser from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returns to NAS Oceana in his F/A-18 Hornet after a training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday April 5, 2010.
pictionid64432209 - catalog040306-n-4374s-007.jpg - title grumman f-14b - filename040306-n-4374s-007.jpg---Please tag this image so that info can be stored with our metadata. This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.)--Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34) "Blue Blasters"
NAS Oceana
Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2)
USS Abraham Lincoln
Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34), also known as the "Blue Blasters", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 2 and are attached to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Their tail code is NE and their radio call sign is "Joker".
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels since 1986. Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries.
The F/A-18C is a single-seat variant. The F/A-18C models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the Martin-Baker NACES (Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat), and a self-protection jammer. A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C models delivered since 1989 also include an improved night attack capability, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (previously monochrome) MFDs and a color moving map.
Beginning in 1992, the F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engine, providing approximately 10% more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine. Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft.
Production of the F/A-18C ended in 1999.
021029-N-1955P-046
Pula, Croatia (Oct. 29, 2002) – An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) leads a formation with three U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons Three Four (VFA-34), Eight One (VFA-81), and Eight Three (VFA-83) and two Croatian MiG-21 fighter aircraft. U.S. Navy squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) have sent a detachment to Croatia in order to participate in the exercise “Joint Wings 2002”. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED)
At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 26, 2002 – Lt. Stephen Schmidt from Chesapeake, Va., gives the signal to launch a McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 "Hornet" assigned to the "Blueblasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34) from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va. and is on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
000830-N-1407C-008.ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (August 30, 2000) Ð Sailors working on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) watch the launch of an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103). Washington is operating in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by PhotographerÕs Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. (RELEASED).
000831-N-1407C-003.ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (August 31, 2000) Ð Aviation BoatswainÕs Mate 3rd Class Jeremikia McClammy, of Leland, NC directs the movements of an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73). Washington is operating in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by PhotographerÕs Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. (RELEASED).
021029-N-1955P-046.Pula, Croatia (Oct. 29, 2002) – An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) leads a formation with three U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons Three Four (VFA-34), Eight One (VFA-81), and Eight Three (VFA-83) and two Croatian MiG-21 fighter aircraft. U.S. Navy squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17) aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) have sent a detachment to Croatia in order to participate in the exercise “Joint Wings 2002”. U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Dana Potts. (RELEASED).
PACIFIC OCEAN (June 17, 2014) Logistics Specialist Seaman Damion Cooper of Jamaica and Airman Bennet Koeller, a Toma, Wis., native assigned to the “Blue Blasters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 wipe down an F/A-18 Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is currently underway performing cyclic flight operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Emiline L. M. Senn/Released)
A Naval Aviator from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" heads out to his F/A-18 Hornet on his way out for a training mission.
KNTU (NAS Oceana, Virginia) - 02 MAR 2014
This F/A-18A has been re-painted since I last saw it in MAY 2012. Now painted as VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" on this side. This aircraft is on display at the Aviation Historical Park at Master Jet Base NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.
Catalog #: SHIPS01143
Ship Name : George Washington
Hull #: CVN73
Country : USA
Ship Type : Aircraft Carrier
Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34), also known as the "Blue Blasters", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 2 and are attached to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Their tail code is NE and their radio call sign is "Joker".
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (Lot 20)
PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 31, 2016) Lt. Daniel Didier directs an F/A-18C Hornet from the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 during flight operations on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flight deck. Carl Vinson is underway conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Brown/Released)
At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Apr. 12, 2002 -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Alex Scale from Detroit, MI, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Stanley Peader from Minneapolis, MN, direct an F/A-18 ÒHornetÓ assigned to the ÒBlueblastersÓ of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34), onto catapult two. There are four steam catapults on the shipÕs flight deck. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, VA, and is conducting scheduled integrated training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean.
LCdr David "Jiggles" Freeman from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returns to NAS Oceana in his F/A-18 Hornet after a training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday April 5, 2010.
LCdr David "Jiggles" Freeman from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returns to NAS Oceana in his F/A-18 Hornet after a training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday April 5, 2010.
Lt. Brandon "Fart" Gasser from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returns to NAS Oceana in his F/A-18 Hornet after a training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday April 5, 2010.
Catalog #: 00042032
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Designation: F/A-18C
Official Nickname: Hornet
Notes: DIO
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
Lt. Brandon "Fart" Gasser from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" returns to NAS Oceana in his F/A-18 Hornet after a training mission out over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday April 5, 2010.
KNTU (NAS Oceana, Virginia) - 02 MAR 2014
This F/A-18A has been re-painted since I last saw it in MAY 2012. Now painted as VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" on this side. This aircraft is on display at the Aviation Historical Park at Master Jet Base NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.