On 2 February, a US Navy jet arrived in Hawaii. But instead of landing at an airfield, the F/A-18C Hornet was rolled off Pasha Hawaii's 4,300-ceu Jean Anne (built 2005).
The jet, once used by the navy's iconic Blue Angels demonstration squadron, made the five-day journey from San Diego to Hawaii for display at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
"Transporting Blue Angel #4 on its final voyage to Honolulu was a privilege," Pasha Hawaii chief executive George Pasha IV said in a statement.
"The Blue Angels are one of our nation’s most revered symbols of our military’s greatness and commitment to service. Pasha Hawaii is proud to support the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s mission to share such an important icon with the general public."
Final flight
The Blue Angel #4 made its final flight on 4 November last year from Pensacola, Florida, where the Blue Angels are based, to California, where it was demilitarised and had its wings removed.
The jet will be reassembled in the coming weeks while on display for the public at the museum's Hangar 79.
"The Blue Angels are larger than life and have left audiences thunderstruck for 75 years," museum executive director Elissa Lines said.
"We are honoured to display this Blue Angel F/A-18C, a symbol of strength, discipline, and innovation, within the context of our historic site. It will be a source of inspiration, especially for youth who dream of flight."
The Blue Angel F/A-18C Hornet was retired last year after 35 years of service, replaced by the larger F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.
Founded in 1946, the Blue Angels were created to raise awareness of naval aviation and boost morale in the US Navy. Today, the group travels the US and abroad performing aviation shows as ambassadors of goodwill for the navy.
The museum is based on Ford Island, in the centre of Pearl Harbor. The island was once home to an airfield struck during the attack by Japan on 7 December 1941.
The facility is based in two repurposed hangars, 79 and 37, and the Areological Tower.
