Hobby Master 1/72 F/A-18D ATARS 164738 VMFA(AW)-533 2017 Operation Inherent Resolve

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 (VMFA(AW)-533), the "Hawks," deployed its two-seat F/A-18D Hornets to Southwest Asia in 2016 as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command 16.2. Operating from Isa Air Base, Bahrain, the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The F/A-18D's second crew member, a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO), allowed the aircraft to excel in complex missions including precision strike, close air support, forward air controller (airborne), tactical air control (airborne), armed reconnaissance, and battlefield surveillance.