The Swiss AF ordered 26 single seat and 8 dual seat F-18C/D Hornets, which were delivered between 1996 and 1999. The first unit of each version was produced by McDonnell Douglas in the US, while the rest was assembled at the "Eidgenössisches Flugzeugwerk" (now RUAG Space) at Emmen AB. The Hornets are used - among other duties - for air policing and as such carry the radio frequency on the external center fuel tank, so that intercepted aircraft can contact the Hornet crew. On this picture taken on cold Winter day, the snow on the ground lights up the fuselage nicely.