The very first F/A-18F cruise took place on board the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in 2003. Together with sister squadron VFA-14 Tophatters (operating the F/A-18E), VFA-41 Black Aces flew numbers of missions from the Nimitz in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This F/A-18F of the Black Aces is being prepped for the launch and is just lowering its folded wings.