Ridgecrest in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

F-18A Hornet

160775

— 1978 — 2007 —

F-18A Hornet Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

1. F-18A Hornet Marker

Inscription.
This is the first McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18A Hornet, first flown in November 1978.

The F/A-18 has been and continues to be a major asset in Naval Aviation. Starting with the 1986 strikes against Libya and currently with the fight against Global Terrorism, serving in IRAQ, Afghanistan and throughout the world.

Erected by Naval Weapons Center China Lake.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1978.

Location. 35° 37.802′ N, 117° 40.074′ W. Marker is in Ridgecrest, California, in Kern County. It is on Las Flores Avenue east of China Lake Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Located at China Lake Museum, open Tue-Sat 10-4. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 E Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest CA 93555, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake (a few steps from this marker); MK IV Special Weapon (a few steps from this marker); F11 F-1F "Super Tiger" (within shouting distance of this marker); North American T-39D Sabreliner (within shouting distance of this marker); "Siding 16" (approx. 8.2 miles away).

Also see . . .

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China Lake Museum. (Submitted on May 12, 2025.)

F-18A Hornet and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

2. F-18A Hornet and Marker

F-18A Hornet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

3. F-18A Hornet

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

4. F-18A Hornet

China Lake Museum and F-18A Hornet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 28, 2025

5. China Lake Museum and F-18A Hornet

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 12, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.