THE 2007 EAST COAST F/A-18C HORNET DEMO TEAM TO PERFORM AT WINGS OF HOPE AIR SHOW PORTSMOUTH - The 2007 East Coast F/A-18C Hornet Demo Team is proud to represent the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Your Demo pilot for this years show is LT Tom "Natty" Clark from Bedford NH. He is supported by LT Barrett "Farva" Smith as the spare pilot and two Maintenance Professionals, AD2 Daniel Ppool and AE2 Shawn Lucas. The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike aircraft missions without compromising its fighter capabilities. In fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction, and close air support. F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons worldwide and from 10 aircraft carriers. It is proudly flown by the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing their targets with the same aircraft on the same mission. It also broke all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability. The aircraft's survivability was proven by Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, only to fly again the next day. All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles or both, through selected use of external ordnance and sensors to accomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability gives the operational commander more flexibility in employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario.