There we were, in the Med, 1985. I was in CIC on AW (a cruiser, air defense commander for our BG) and we had the darnedest time managing the fighter grid because F-18A deck cycle times (and refueling coordination) wasn't as generous as the F-14's that we were used to dealing with. It seemed that them Hornets were always out of gas, or near to it.
Aaaah, yes, the good old days. I remember those same times with the Phantoms still in the mix, and the pilots, seeming constantly low on fuel, calling "Tanker Posit! Tanker Posit!"
And if memory serves, the A-7s, also still in the mix, had carrier cycle times better than the Hornets and similar to the Tomcat's. Two big drivers for Super Hornet development was to increase carrier cycle times and bring back, which were accomplished. I'm curious as to whether the F-35 will have the Super Hornet's or the Hornet's carrier cycle times. If the latter, then it'll be deja vu all over again.