VFA-102 commencing aircraft swapout?

[Le Addeur noir]

Since early December 2009 several F/A-18F from VFA-102 of the Atsugi,Japan based CVW-5 have been seen flying with all unit markings deleted.

Those Super Hornets seen minus markings so far include

165883 ex NF-101
165888 ex NF-106
165891 ex NF-111
165893 ex NF-113
165890 ex NF-114

It would seem likely these jets will depart back to the USA shortly.

It is also reported that CVW-5 F/A-18C squadron VFA-192(NF-3xx) will convert to F/A-18E in 2010.

Source of this report is the Japanese language website http://www.gonavy.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Le Addeur noir]

Latest form Japanese sources on CVW-5 is that VFA-192(F/A-18C NF-3xx) will be replaced by VFA-115(currently on CVW-14 as NK-2xx) with F/A-18E in the near future.

Credit for this to Masanori-san.

[Maurizio]

Thank to ibn/Taka Okamura:

VFA-115's 11xF/A-18E arrived NAF Atsugi, Japan
for replacement legacy Hornet squadron VFA-192 of CVW-5.

13th Dec,
F/A-18E VFA-115 166859/NK200
F/A-18E VFA-115 166864/NF305
F/A-18E VFA-115 166865/NF306
F/A-18E VFA-115 166866/NF307
F/A-18E VFA-115 166868/NF310
F/A-18E VFA-115 166869/NF311

14th Dec,
F/A-18E VFA-115 166860/NF301
F/A-18E VFA-115 166861/NF302
F/A-18E VFA-115 166862/NF303
F/A-18E VFA-115 166863/NF304
F/A-18E VFA-115 166870/NF312

[Le Addeur noir]

10 F/A-18C of VFA-192 departed to the USA on 15 December,

164029 NF-300
164030 NF-301
164010 NF-303

plus codes

NF-304
NF-305
NF-306
NF-310
NF-311
NF-312
NF-313

This leaves 2 VFA-192 jets unaccounted for

163990 NF-302
164016 NF-307

One further VFA-102 F/A-18F has appeared minus markings,

165878 ex NF-107

[Le Addeur noir]

By 8th January one further VFA-102 F/A-18F,165884 ex NF-103 had lost it's markings.

On this date 2 of the co-located F/A-18E of VFA-27 has also lost their markings,

165867 ex NF-207
165870 ex NF-210

It could be that both the earlier CVW-5 Super Hornet squadrons will be swapping their jets in the (near) future.