Keywords: US Navy 030321-F-7203T-004 A U.S. Navy F-A-18 Hornet takes fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in the skies near Iraq.jpg en Central Command Area of Responsibility Mar 21 2003 -- A U S Navy F/A-18 Hornet takes fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in the skies near Iraq before continuing on its mission in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom The Hornet is primarily used as a fighter escort and fleet air defense However it can also be used as an attack aircraft with the capability of force projection interdiction as well as both close and deep air support This duel capability gives commanders immense flexibility in wartime operations 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 Air Force Photo Courtesy of Staff Sgt Cherie A Thurlby RELEASED 2003-03-21 030321-F-7203T-004 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 5570 U S Navy photo PD-USGov-Military-Navy United States Navy images from Central Command Aerial refueling of F/A-18 Hornet Aerial refueling by KC-135 Stratotanker as seen from tanker |