A classic Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown has been transported to Canberra where it will spend its next life on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial.
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The F/A-18A Hornet A21-022, one of two Hornets allocated to the war memorial for heritage display, was partially disassembled and transported by road to Canberra on Monday.
The aircraft is due to arrive in the nation's capital on Tuesday, which Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said would be a major step in the preservation of Australian war history.
"This is a special aircraft for the RAAF," she said. "It employed the first Australian weapon on Operation Falconer in 2003, and was also deployed on Operation Okra in 2016-2017.
"It is very fitting that it will now spend its next life on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial.
"This will be a fantastic opportunity for generations of Australians to view and appreciate example of Australian Air Force capability."
F/A-18A 'Classic' Hornet A21-022 was retired on May 14, 2020 after more than 30 years in service and 6131.5 flying hours.
The aircraft will be reassembled at the Treloar Technology Centre by Boeing Defence Australia in November.
Once reconstructed, A21-022 will spend its next life on permanent display at the Australian War Memorial.
An official ceremony to hand F/A-18A Hornet A21-022 over to the Australian War Memorial is planned for December.