Tailhook ——- Click image for a larger/sharper copy

Here in the first image, notice the tailhook mounted on the long arm extending from the tail section of the F-18 Hornet. Tom reviewed his logbook and uncovered this information:   The 700th trap occurred returning back on board U.S.S. George Washington (CVN-73) from a 1.7 hour local area training flight. Date of the flight was Jan. 7, 1998. The Carrier was in the Arabian Gulf flying missions over Iraq at the time in support of Operation Southern Watch. The aircraft was an F/A-18C, bureau number 163508, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Six (VFA-86), a part of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1).  Doesn’t get any cooler than this!