Retired Marine F-18 Hornet embarks on cross-country road trip to Wisconsin

A distinguished U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet, a veteran of countless training flights, is set to undertake an unusual cross-country journey, not through the skies it once dominated, but by road. This retired 26,500-pound jet will soon travel over 2,000 miles from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, California, to its new home at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin.

The transport will see the aircraft disassembled by the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 at MCAS Miramar. Its wings and horizontal tails will be removed, preparing the fuselage and components for loading onto a low-boy trailer.

Identified by its Bureau Number (BUNO) 164903, this particular F/A-18C Hornet previously served with the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), famously known as the "Sharpshooters." VMFAT-101 has played a crucial role in preparing generations of Marine Corps fighter pilots, making this Hornet an integral part of that legacy.

Intriguingly, the complex logistics of this cross-country move are being managed by the Department of the Army National Guard. Contract documents released Friday specify that the chosen contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control to transport the aircraft. Upon arrival in Wisconsin, Volk Field will provide a crane and qualified personnel to offload the valuable cargo.

With a declared value of $500,000, according to contract documents, this F-18's journey underscores the intricate process of preserving military aviation history. While the F/A-18 Hornet series is gradually being phased out for newer platforms, these retired airframes often continue to serve as vital educational tools or as symbols of national defense at military installations across the country.