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VFA-137
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, California. Their radio callsign is "Falcon".
Strike Fighter Squadron 137 was established on 2 July 1985. They received their first Lot VIII F/A-18A Hornet on 25 November 1985 and in October 1986 the squadron was awarded the Silver Anchor for new construction squadrons. In the course of their 23-year history, they have a safety record that includes over 90,000 mishap-free flight hours.
In 1987–1988 the squadron made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, 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 squadron was back on board USS 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, completing an accelerated work up cycle and their third deployment. On cruise, the squadron 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 NAS Lemoore and transitioned to the night attack capable Lot 15 F/A-18C. In May 1993, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) and embarked on board USS Constellation for their first Western Pacific deployment in November 1994. On this deployment, and the 1997 deployment, the squadron patrolled the skies over Iraq, enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 1999 and again in 2001, VFA-137 employed precision-guided ordnance against Iraq as part of a Coalition Forces response to repeated violations of the no-fly zone.
In November 2002, VFA-137 deployed to the Persian Gulf on board USS Constellation for her final deployment. The squadron 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 squadron flew over 500 combat sorties and dropped more than 300,000 pounds of precision-guided ordnance.
The squadron returned home in June 2003, and began the transition to the new Lot 25 F/A-18E Super Hornet. After completing the Safe for Flight certification, they 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.
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VFA-137
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, California. Their radio callsign is "Falcon".
Strike Fighter Squadron 137 was established on 2 July 1985. They received their first Lot VIII F/A-18A Hornet on 25 November 1985 and in October 1986 the squadron was awarded the Silver Anchor for new construction squadrons. In the course of their 23-year history, they have a safety record that includes over 90,000 mishap-free flight hours.
In 1987–1988 the squadron made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, 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 squadron was back on board USS 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, completing an accelerated work up cycle and their third deployment. On cruise, the squadron 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 NAS Lemoore and transitioned to the night attack capable Lot 15 F/A-18C. In May 1993, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) and embarked on board USS Constellation for their first Western Pacific deployment in November 1994. On this deployment, and the 1997 deployment, the squadron patrolled the skies over Iraq, enforcing the United Nations no-fly zone in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 1999 and again in 2001, VFA-137 employed precision-guided ordnance against Iraq as part of a Coalition Forces response to repeated violations of the no-fly zone.
In November 2002, VFA-137 deployed to the Persian Gulf on board USS Constellation for her final deployment. The squadron 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 squadron flew over 500 combat sorties and dropped more than 300,000 pounds of precision-guided ordnance.
The squadron returned home in June 2003, and began the transition to the new Lot 25 F/A-18E Super Hornet. After completing the Safe for Flight certification, they 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.