F/A-18C Hornet VFA-87 Golden Warriors 2001

In April 2001, VFA-87 deployed on a Persian Gulf cruise enforcing the no fly zone over Southern Iraq aboard USS Enterprise until the September 11 attacks occurred. The squadron was then held on station along with the entire Enterprise battle group, to conduct first strike combat missions over Afghanistan against embedded Taliban targets. VFA-87 returned to NAS Oceana in November 2001.

F/A-18C Bureau number 164687 the CAG bird from operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2001. Befitting a CAG bird, her squadron markings are all in full colour and these include the squadron’s title in black with yellow shadowing within a red and yellow arrow, 400 modex on the nose and both sides of the tops of the vertical stabilisers, NAVY titles on the rear fuselage, the words WAR PARTY and large stylised AJ airwing indicators on the inner surfaces of the vertical stabilisers all of which are black with yellow shadowing. The squadrons’ Indian head unit marking on the vertical stabilisers are also in colour with red tips to the feathers on the “war bonnet” and the word “War Party” . Her national insignia are dark gray. Note the red Safety "S" award below the cockpit on another picture later in the year.