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.
On September 1, 1967 the Royal Maces were commissioned VA-27, originally designated the Chargers flying the Vought A-7A Corsair II. After Vietnam VA-27 was disbanded but re-established in January 1991 flying the F/A-18A and renamed VFA-27. 1994 VFA-27 re-equipped with the newer F/A-18C and in 1996 moved to Atsugi, Japan and re-assumed the name Royal Maces. 2004 saw another equipment change to the F/A-18E and assigned to the USS George Washington. In August 2015 VFA-27 was transferred to the USS Ronald Reagan and 2017 marked a mile stone, the 50th Anniversary of VA/VFA-27.