F/A-18F Super Hornets aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford now display new mission markings reflecting combat operations against Iran. These markings, applied post-deployment following the carrier’s 320-day return from the Middle East, confirm the vessel’s active role in Operation Epic Fury. The visual evidence, captured 4 July 2026 near Traverse City, MI, documents the first public appearance of these distinct markings on CVW-8 aircraft. This tradition, common among U.S. squadrons, underscores naval aviation’s operational tempo and the Ford-class carrier’s high-intensity sortie rate enabled by EMALS. The markings distinguish these aircraft from standard operational paint schemes, serving as a tangible indicator of the specific Iran mission sets assigned to the Navy’s newest supercarrier.