McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet (16-4660)

For the final time, "Stubby Joe" taxies a Bug to a parking position of honor on the NAWDC ramp. After completing his Last Flight, CDR Pietersom taxied past two USAF F-15 Eagles, a pair of F-22 Raptors, an RCAF C-130, a ramp full of USN and USAF F-16s, an E-2C Hawkeye, and countless F-18 Hornets, Super Hornets, and Growlers before parking and receiving a farewell "shower" (ten buckets filled with ice cubes and water) from family, friends, and US Navy comrades. The air temperature on the ramp during this "ceremony' was 34 degrees F.