A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet from the VFA-41 "Black Aces" squadron returned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, this past Wednesday, bearing a unique decoration: the silhouette of a submarine painted on its nose.
This distinctive marking, accompanied by the label "Sub Buster," signifies its role in the destruction of an Iranian submarine during the operation known as Epic Fury, reported by the aviation-focused outlet The Aviationist.
The aircraft, serial number 168491, was part of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) carrier strike group, which spent an extensive 302 days at sea — the second-longest deployment for a U.S. carrier since the Cold War — before returning to California.
The Aviationist noted that this is the first time a Super Hornet has displayed such a marking in its operational history.
Unidentified Iranian Submarine Target
The specific Iranian submarine destroyed by this aircraft remains unidentified to the public. However, the silhouette suggests it might have been a Kilo-class submarine, considered the most formidable in Iran's fleet, originally built by Russia and delivered in the 1990s.
Of the three Kilo-class submarines Iran possessed, one, the IRIS Taregh, was officially confirmed destroyed while docked. The other two have long been deemed inoperative, though their destruction would still count as a loss.
Iran suffered significant depletion of its submarine force during Epic Fury, complicating precise identification of the Super Hornet's target.
Diverse Tactics in Submarine Neutralization
The U.S. also confirmed the sinking of the Fateh, a flagship of Iran's indigenous small coastal submarine class, along with multiple Ghadir-class submarines. At least one Ghadir was targeted with an AGM-114 Hellfire missile fired from an MQ-9 drone, eliminating the Super Hornet as the responsible party in that attack.
A variety of methods were deployed to neutralize the Iranian submarine fleet, including ATACMS ballistic missiles, unmanned surface vehicles, and fixed-wing aircraft, in addition to drones. The specific weapon used by F/A-18F 168491 against the submarine has not been publicly disclosed.
Kilo-class submarines were theoretically Iran's most dangerous naval assets, able to attack surface ships, lay mines, and launch guided munitions and even drones with little warning.
However, the Persian Gulf's shallow waters and high salinity pose operational challenges even for experienced submarine crews. Since acquiring them in the 1990s, Iran has never been able to sustain two operational Kilos concurrently.
Impact of Operation Epic Fury
Operation Epic Fury commenced on February 28, 2026, ordered by President Trump, with over 100 aircraft striking Iranian targets in the initial wave.
The campaign formally concluded on May 5, 2026, after a partial ceasefire was reported in early April. During this period, the U.S. claimed the destruction of 17 Iranian warships and multiple submarines. VFA-41 squadron launched a total of 421 missiles and bombs throughout the operation.
The "Sub Buster" marking will remain a permanent decoration on the aircraft, in a tradition akin to the F-15E Strike Eagle 89-0487, which bears a green star commemorating the destruction of an Iraqi helicopter with a laser-guided bomb.
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Defense warned that Iran would not regain a naval force comparable to what it had before the conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions about Operation Epic Fury
What was the purpose of Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury aimed to neutralize Iran's naval capabilities, particularly its submarine fleet, to mitigate potential threats in the Persian Gulf region.
What is significant about the "Sub Buster" marking on the Super Hornet?
The "Sub Buster" marking on the F/A-18F Super Hornet is a rare decoration signifying the aircraft's involvement in destroying an Iranian submarine, a first in its operational history.
How did the U.S. military confirm the destruction of Iranian submarines?
The U.S. military confirmed the destruction of Iranian submarines through various intelligence and reconnaissance methods, although specific details of the operations remain classified.