Commander David Fravor. In 2007 VFA-41 deployed aboard Nimitz for a WESTPAC cruise and participated in Operation Valiant Shield, a joint-force exercise in the vicinity of Guam. In January 2008 the squadron surge-deployed to Nimitz in the Pacific. On February 13, 2008, it was reported that several Russian Tu-95 bombers were intercepted over the Pacific by F/A-18s from Nimitz while on a surge deployment in the region. One Tu-95 was escorted and flew directly over the carrier at , escorted by VFA-41 Hornets. The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead called the incident "benign" and said: "they came out to look. We joined up (and) flew with them until they went home". A total of four Russian bombers were involved; two remained about 500 miles east of the carrier strike group, and another orbited about 50 miles away as one Tu-95 did two low passes over the Nimitz carrier group. After their return to the United States, VFA-41 began trading in their Lot 26 F/A-18Fs for Lot 30 F/A-18Fs which are fitted with AESA radar technology. During 2009 CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group conducted several training exercises off the coast of Southern California including composite unit training and joint task force training in anticipation for their 2009–2010 deployment. On July 28 it was reported that CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group was to depart for an eight-month deployment. 2010s By January 2010 VFA-41 had flown over 2,500 combat hours in 400 combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. VFA-41 joined CVW-9 in 2010 and started workups for a WESTPAC deployment in 2011. From July 27, 2011 to February 26, 2012, CVW-9 deployed on board to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, counter-piracy and maritime security operations. VFA-41 supported Operation Enduring Freedom and the final combat missions of Operation New Dawn. Following a short six-month turnaround, the squadron once again cruised on a surge deployment from September 1, 2012 to April 28, 2013 on board USS John C. Stennis. The squadron returned to the Middle East and flew missions in support of the 5th Fleet and Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2016 VFA-41 with Air Carrier Wing 9 deployed aboard John C. Stennis to the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation. Ports of call during this deployment included Guam, Busan, Singapore, Manila and Pearl Harbor. The squadron flew out to its landbase at Lemoore, California on August 9.