VFA-137

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 137


caption= VFA-137 Insignia
dates= July 2, 1985
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= CVW-2
current_commander=
garrison= NAS Lemoore
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "Kestrels""Flying Butt Cheeks"
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

Strike Fighter Squadron 137 (VFA-137), also known as the "Kestrels", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore.

Mission

Train to and, if necessary, conduct prompt, sustained combat operations in support of national policy, anywhere, anytime.

History

Strike Fighter Squadron 137, nicknamed the “Kestrels” after the native North American Falcon, was established on July 2, 1985. They received their first Lot VIII F/A-18A Hornet on November 25, 1985 and in October 1986 the squadron was awarded the Silver Anchor for new construction squadrons. In the course of their 21-year history, the Kestrels have a safety record that includes over 80,000 mishap-free flight hours. In 1987-1988 the squadron made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea embarked on the “Ageless Warrior,” USS "Coral Sea" (CV 43), as part of Carrier Air Wing THIRTEEN. That year the squadron was recognized with the Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Battle “E” award. In August 1989, the Kestrels were back on board "Coral Sea" patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean in response to Colonel Higgins’ murder in Lebanon, winning the Golden Tailhook award on their second deployment. In October 1990, the squadron transferred to Carrier Air Wing SIX on board USS "Forrestal" (CV-59), completing an accelerated work up cycle and their third deployment. On cruise, the Kestrels flew sorties over Iraq in support of Operation PROVIDE COMFORT and won two more Tailhook Awards.

In September 1992, the squadron completed a homeport change to Lemoore, CA and transitioned to the night attack capable Lot XV F/A-18C. In May 1993, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing TWO and embarked on board USS "Constellation" (CV-64) for their first Western Pacific deployment in November 1994. On this deployment, and the 1997 deployment, the Kestrels patrolled the skies over Iraq, enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In 1999 and again in 2001, the Kestrels employed precision-guided ordnance against Iraq as part of a Coalition Forces response to repeated violations of the no-fly zone.

In November 2002, the Kestrels deployed to the Persian Gulf on board "Constellation" for her final deployment. The Kestrels participated in extensive operations in the skies over Iraq, initially in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, and then in combat operations during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During the course of the conflict, the Kestrels flew over 500 combat sorties and dropped more than 300,000 pounds of precision-guided ordnance.

Recent Activity

The Kestrels returned home in June 2003, and began the transition to the new Lot XXV F/A-18E Super Hornet. After completing the Safe for Flight certification, the Kestrels became the third F/A-18E squadron in the U.S. Navy. In April 2004, Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet awarded the Battle “E” for calendar year 2003. Subsequently, Commander, Naval Air Force awarded the 2003 Captain Michael J. Estocin Award for exceptional operational performance and flight safety.

The Kestrels embarked aboard USS "Abraham Lincoln" (CVN-72) for a Western Pacific deployment in October 2004, participating in Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia. In March 2006, the Kestrels again deployed with Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW 2) aboard USS "Abraham Lincoln" for a 5-month WestPac. The deployment included port calls in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Sasebo, Japan, and was marked by participation in Operations FOAL EAGLE, VALIANT SHIELD, and RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific). VFA-137 returned from deployment in August 2006.

After a work up cycle that included 2 detachments to NAS Fallon and 3 underway periods on board "Abraham Lincoln", the Kestrels of VFA-137 deployed to the western Pacific with "Abraham Lincoln" in March 2008.

= See also =
*Naval aviation
*United States Naval Aviator
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft

External links

* [http://www.csfwp.navy.mil/vfa-137/ VFA-137's Official Webpage]