This is a F/A-18F Block 54 of the LOw Rate Initial Production 3, ordered in FY99. It was delivered to the US Navy in Jul'01 and started to serve VX-9 (with modex 511). In mid-2003, the Rhino was transferred to VFA-102 (modex 104) and then in Jan'04 to VFA-122 (NJ-132). in early 2005, transferred to VFA-211 (AB-211), then in mid-2008 to VFA-122 (AB-111). in Mar'09 it started to serve the NSAWC (12), received modex 104 by Feb'11. The NSAWC became NAWDC and the Hornet kept the same modex. Then in mid-2023 the F/A-18F was selected for the Blue Angels, and was repainted in the blue demo colours.

Although the unit was already redesignated into the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), this Super Hornet still carried the old Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) titles on its tail.

This was the last practice airshow of the year at NAS Pensacola. In addition to the six demonstration aircraft, the number 7 aircraft launched with the team with a photographer in the rear seat (he has his camera up in the photo). Flown by the team narrator, this aircraft basically flew a loose formation with the demo aircraft through all of the airshow maneuvers. The wavy effect in the photo was caused by the hot exhaust from the two solo Super Hornets, which are directly in front of this aircraft awaiting take off.