2001  - F/A-18C Royal Mace 204 approaching Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese web page)

 2001  - F/A-18C CAG Mace approaching Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese web page)

 2001  - Nice bow on shot of the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63. Note a couple of Maces parked on the bow. (Image Source - DoD)

 2001  - "Paddles" talking a VFA-27 Mace Hornet down to the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63. (Image Source - DoD)

 2001  - Thrree F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) just after recovery on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). (Image Source - US Navy)

 2001  - VFA-27 "Nuts" as it appears on Hasegawa model kit box. (Image Source - Hajime Ishihara)

 Mar 8, 2001  - The Sea of Japan, An F/A-18 Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) breaks right while conducting routine flight operations over the Sea of Japan. VFA-27 is deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte.(Image Source - US Navy)

 Mar 8, 2001  - An US Navy (USN) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) (upper) and a USN F-14 Tomcat attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) fly together while conducting routine flight operation over the Sea of Japan. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Mar 8, 2001  - An US Navy (USN) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) (upper) and a USN F-14 Tomcat attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) fly together while conducting routine flight operation over the Sea of Japan. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Mar 8, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An S-3B "Viking attached to Sea Control Squadron Two One (VS-21) conducts an in-flight refueling with an F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) while conducting routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 8, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) and an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) conduct routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 8, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) and an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) conduct routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 8, 2001  - 010308-N-OQ636-018.ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK (March 8, 2001) -- An F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) and an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) conduct routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 8, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) conducts routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 8, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18C "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) and an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) conduct routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 9, 2001  - Royal Mace F/A-18C Hornet "feet wet" near Japan. (Image Source - DoD)

 Mar 9, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18 "Hornet" attached to Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) and an F-14 "Tomcat" attached to Fighter Squadron One Five Four (VF-154) conduct routine flight operations from aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is operating in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alex C. Witte. (RELEASED).

 Mar 9, 2001  - VFA-27 Hornet "Feet Wet" over the Pacific. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Mar 10, 2001  - The Pacific Ocean - An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from the bow catapult of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is on a routine deployment in the western Pacific Ocean. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class William R. Goodwin. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Apr 1, 2001  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK - An F/A-18C "Hornet" attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike FIghter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) makes it's final approach to land aboard USS KItty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is underway on a routine deployment. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class William R. Goodwin. (RELEASED).

 Sep 23, 2001  - A US Navy (USN) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft from Fighter Attack Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) lands onboard the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). A second (USN) F/A-18C Hornet aircraft is spotted in the background. (Image Source - PHAN RONALD)

 2002  - Royal Mace 205 rolling in to a turn. (Image Source - Japanese Web Page)

 2002  - Cat shooter ready to push the launch button as a VFA-27 F/A-18C Hornet sits at full power aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. (Image Source - US Navy])

 2002  - Four VFA-27 Maces can be seen on the starboard forward deck of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).

 Mar 13, 2002  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Mar. 13, 2002 - An F/A-18 "Hornet" from the "Royal Maces" of Fighter Attack Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27), assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), slows to a stop after catching an arresting gear wire during Carrier Qualifications. USS Kitty Hawk operates out of Yokosuka, Japan, as the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class John E. Woods. (RELEASED)

 Apr 22, 2002  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - Flight deck personnel prepare F/A-18 "Hornet" strike fighter aircraft for the next round of flight operations. Kitty Hawk is providing a forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region, conducting training and exercises with its regional allies. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier operating out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class John E. Wood. (RELEASED)

 Jun 23, 2002  - VFA-27 Mace's 205 and 200 in formation over NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Page)

 Aug 13, 2002  - Andersen AFB, Guam - An F/A-18 "Hornet" from the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA 27), launches from an airstrip located at Andersen AFB in Guam during Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) strike weapons training events in the area. U.S. Airforce photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Strang. (Image Source - US Air Force)

 Nov 6, 2002  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - An F/A-18C "Hornet" assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from catapult three, one of four steam driven catapult systems on the ship's flight deck. During a catapult launch the "Hornet" will reach a speed of 175 mph (152 knots) in 21/2 seconds and in just 250 feet. US Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Nov 14, 2002  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)- A "shooter" launches an F/A-18C "Hornet" assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship's flight deck. "Shooters" use signals as a visual aid for the pilots and flight deck personnel when launching aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Dec 7, 2002  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - An F/A-18C "Hornet" assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam powered catapults on the ship's flight deck. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 2003  - Outstanding picture of VFA-27 F/A-18C "Nuts" launching. (Image Source - US Navy)

 2003  - VFA-27 Hornet approach to Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Page)

 2003  - Royal Mace flight line at NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Takafumi Hiroe - http://www.gonavy.jp/)

 2003  - VFA-27 F/A-18C Hornet on approach to NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Page)

 2003  - Nice shot of a VFA-27 F/A-18C Hornet flying near Mt. Fuji (Image Source - US Navy/ Cameron Bloom)

 2003  - Two Royal Mace Hornets fly alongside a Royal Australian Air Force Hornet during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

- Photo Courtesy of RAAF

 Jan 29, 2003  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - An F/A-18C "Hornet" assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) is launched from one of four steam powered catapults off the ship's flight deck. Kitty Hawk is the world's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jason T. Poplin. (RELEASED)

 Feb 14, 2003  - At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - An F/A-18C "Hornet" assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) makes an arrested landing on the ship's flight deck. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) were ordered to the Central Command Area of Responsibility to join coalition forces. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 17, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) is moved to the flight deck on the starboard-forward aircraft elevator, one of four aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 18, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) stands ready on one of two steam catapults on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 18, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) stands ready on one of two steam catapults on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. Kitty Hawk is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 20, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) , loaded with a 500-pound GBU-12 laser-guided missile, moves into position while another F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam powered catapults aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is currently deployed and operating with coalition forces, conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 20, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty Seven (VFA-27) launches from one of four steam powered catapults on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during night raids on Iraq. Kitty Hawk is deployed with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 22, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' walks across the flight deck prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

 Mar 23, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' checks one of the 500 pound laser guided bombs mounted on the wing of his jet prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, March 23, 2003. Sunday was the 'toughest day of resistance' so far encountered by U.S.-led forces in four days of war against Iraq, U.S. Army General John Abizaid said on Sunday. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

 Mar 23, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 23, 2003) - An F/A-18 Hornet pilot Commander Mike Vance from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 'Royal Maces' gives the thumbs up prior to taking off from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier for a mission over Iraq (news - web sites) March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

 Mar 23, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18 Hornet pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-27 "Royal Maces" checks one of the 500 pound laser guided bombs mounted on the wing of his jet prior to flying a mission over Iraq from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier March 23, 2003. Iraqi troops and paramilitary fighters loyal to President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) held up a U.S. advance toward Baghdad on Sunday, inflicting casualties and taking American prisoners on the fourth day of war. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

 Mar 26, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Visibility on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) is greatly reduced as it passes through a strong sandstorm in the Arabian Gulf. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) including the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Todd Frantom. (RELEASED)

 Mar 27, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Two F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets from Strike Fighter Squadron 27 'Royal Maces' from the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier fly past an S-3B Viking carrying laser guided and GPS guided bombs, following a refueling operation over the Euphrates Valley in Iraq, March 27, 2003. EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/HO