The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The E variant is single-seater while the F variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The E is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.
VFA-87 Golden Warriors onboard the USS George H. W. Bush were part of the continuous combat air patrols being provided over Tabqah Air Base which was the demarcation line for the USAF and the Russian/Syrian Air Forces. On June 18, 2017 SDF attacked ISIS in Ja Den located south of Tabqah but were forced back. Now pro-Syrian Government forces attacked Ja Den supported by 5 Syrian Su-22s. One Su-22 dropped bombs very close to SDF ground troops so in response F/A-18E 168912 piloted by LCDR M. Tremmel fired 2 missiles and downed the Su-22.