F/A-18 Super Hornet

Palm Springs – November 05, 2026 -- On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 1 p.m., the Palm Springs Air Museum will dedicate a Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornet. It is the first Super Hornet placed on permanent public display outside a military installation.

The jet appeared on camera in Top Gun: Maverick

The aircraft is featured in Top Gun: Maverick as one of Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell's on-camera aircraft. It is dedicated to museum founder Robert Pond, USN, and the event marks the museum's 30th anniversary.

A water arch salute and a Bearcat flyover open the ceremony

The program includes a Water Arch Retirement ceremony for the jet and a flyover by a Grumman F8F Bearcat. Brief dedication remarks follow, and the museum is serving free 30th anniversary "birthday" cake.

Scheduled participants: