Mar 27, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Aviation Ordnancemen transfer GBU-31 joint defense attack munitions (JDAM) to ready Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) aircraft including F/A-18C Hornets assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked CVW-5 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 - 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 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) 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 28, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Kekeisen from Lakehurst, N.J., stands duty as safety observer along the flight deck foul-line as an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently operating 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 28, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet pilot Brad Converse of Strike Fighter Squadron 27 'Royal Maces' walks past his jet after returning to the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier from a bombing mission over Iraq March 28, 2003. The carriers airwing provided close air support to British and American ground troops yesterday dropping sixteen 1,000 pound laser guided bombs, four JSOW (Joint Standoff Attack Weapon) and three 1,000 pound unguided bombs and targeted Iraqi tanks and helicopters. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

 Mar 30, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - A High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is positioned on an F/A-18C Hornet during night flight operations aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The HARM missile was first deployed aboard Kitty Hawk in January 1984. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is 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 30, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Aviation Ordnancemen relocate a Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) on the flight deck past GBU-31 Joint Defense Attack Munitions (JDAM) aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is 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)

 Apr 2, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty Seven (VFA-27) launches past onlooking shooters located at the bow of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Force and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is 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

 Apr 3, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Two F/A-18C Hornets loaded wiith bombs from Squadron VFA-27 Royal Maces off the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk are refueled by an Air Force KC-135 tanker over Kuwait, Thursday April 3, 2003. Hornets from the squadron dropped ordnance over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (AP Photo/US NAVY)

 Apr 5, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - A plane handler watches the launch of an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the Gulf, Saturday April 5, 2003. Planes from the ship continued missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom over Iraq. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

 Apr 10, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - An Aircraft Director maneuvers an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) into a holding position while it waits to be launched from one of four steam powered catapults on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are currently operating with coalition forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is 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 Airman Bo Flannigan. (RELEASED)

 Apr 11, 2003  - The Arabian Gulf - Steam from the catapult rises as an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27) readies for take off on the flight deck of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, in the northern Gulf, April 11 2003. The carrier and its strike group is conducting missions in support of the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 May 1, 2003  - Atsugi, Japan - VFA-27 Royal Mace F/A-18C Hornets back home after deployment. (Image Source - US Navy)

 May 1, 2003  - Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan ( - What it's all about...

 2004  - The new VFA-27 Skipper CDR. Bynum "Spock" riding the "Wild Thing". (Image Source - US Navy)

 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18C Mace 201 sitting on the NAF Atsugi flight line. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18C CAG taxiing on the NAF Atsugi flight line. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Mar 2004  - Final checkers giving the thumbs-up to launch this F/A-18C Mace Hornet. (Image Source - Joshua H. Mann)

 Mar 23, 2004  - 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 on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is America's oldest active aircraft carrier and is the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in service. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman, Bo J. Flannigan. (RELEASED)

 Mar 23, 2004  - ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) AT SEA - Plane directors, or "yellow shirts," direct aircraft onto catapults as a shooter keeps a close eye on all of the movement on the flight deck aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). (Image Source - US Navy)

 Apr 7, 2004  -  ABOARD USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) AT SEA - An F/A-18C Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, the "Royal Maces," launches from the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). The F/A-18C's superb flight characteristics and payload versatility make it a true force multiplier. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Jun 2004  - Notice the Modex??? No, the Maces have not changed to 3XX. These were hornets transferred to the VFA-192 Golden Dragons and have yet to be completely repainted. (Go Navy Website)

 Jun 2004  - Notice the Modex? No, the Maces did not change to 3XX. These were VFA-27 F/A-18C hornets being transferred to the VFA-192 Golden Dragons and have yet to be completely repainted. The Royal Maces were transitioning from Hornets to Super Hornets at the time of the photograph.(Go Navy Website)

 Sep 23, 2004  - A US Navy (USN) F/A-18E Super 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-18E Hornet aircraft is spotted in the background. (Image Source - DoD)

 Nov 2004  - The Royal Maces of VFA-27 transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornets. Here are two of the new birds flying off the coast of Hawaii on their return trip to Japan. (Image Source - US Navy)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E new CAG Super Hornet on approach to NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet on final to NAS Atsugi. Configured as a tanker. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet on approach to NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site/"Chippy")

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 CAG F/A-18E Super Hornet climbing past Mt. Fuji. (Image Source - US Navy/Ted Carlson)

 Nov 2004  - Two VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet Maces overhead. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet taxiing on the ramp at NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E CAG Super Hornet overhead (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 2004  - VFA-27 F/A-18E CAG Super Hornet overhead (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 Nov 29, 2004  - CAG 200 of the VFA-27 Royal Maces on final into NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Koyapop)

 2005  - VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet creates a vapor cone as it approches the speed of sound. (Image Source - IRST & Takshi Takeda)

 2005  - VFA-27 F/A-18E Super Hornet creates a vapor cone as it approches the speed of sound. (Image Source - IRST & Takshi Takeda)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - Photo series of the F/A-18E CAG Mace at NAF Atsugi. (Peter Fey)

 2005  - VFA-27 CAG F/A-18E Super Hornet configured as a tanker. (Image Source - US Navy)

 2005  - F/A-18E Super Hornet Mace 210 on final to NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 2005  - F/A-18E CAG Super Hornet Mace on the flight line at NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Japanese Web Site)

 2005  - VFA-27 CAG F/A-18E Super Hornet fliying past Mt. Fuji. (Image Source - US Navy)

 2005  - VFA-27 Super Hornet Mace 210 flying by Mt. Fuji. (Image Source - US Navy)

 2005  - VFA-27 F/A-18E CAG on the flight line at NAF Atsugi. (Image Source - Unknown)

 Jan 22, 2005  - Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan - Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Cameron Bloom, listens to instructions on his radio prior to launching an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Royal Maces" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Seven (VFA-27), on board Iwo Jima Air Base, Japan. Petty Officer Bloom is VFA-27's Flight Line Coordinator, in charge of launching and recovering aircraft. Several aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) detached to Iwo Jima Air Base to allow pilots to get carrier landing qualified. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Matthew R. Schwarz (RELEASED)