VFA-137
Encyclopedia
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
. The Squadron Radio callsign is "Falcon".
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.
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. Following 7 months at sea, including 5 months in the Persian Gulf supporting Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, the Kestrels returned home in October 2008.
On March 15, 2010, two aircraft of the Kestrels were involved in a mid-air collision while training at Fallon Naval Air Station. Both pilots survived with one managing to land his plane. The other pilot ejected and was rescued by helicopter. An investigation determined that pilot error was to blame for the collision. The responsible pilot's name was redacted from the report released to the public.
On March 9, 2011, the squadron's commander was relieved and replaced after being found guilty at an Admiral's Mast of violating Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (failure to obey order or regulation). At the time, the squadron was deployed on the carrier Abraham Lincoln which was in Hawaii as it returned from a six month deployment to the western Pacific.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California. Lemoore Station, California, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders....
. The Squadron Radio callsign is "Falcon".
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 23-year history, the Kestrels have a safety record that includes over 90,000 mishap-free flight hours.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)
USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation , a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the "new constellation of stars" on the flag of the United States and the only naval vessel ever authorized to display red, white, and blue designation numbers...
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)
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Abraham Lincoln , is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington.-Construction:...
for a Western Pacific deployment in October 2004, participating in Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance is the name of the United States military's response to the tsunami of 2004.-Overview:On 28 December, the first elements of the Combined Support Force were deployed to Utapao, Thailand following that country's approval of the use of that base.More than 12,600...
, 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
Carrier Air Wing Two
Carrier Air Wing Two is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln .-Mission:...
(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
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
, VALIANT SHIELD
Valiant Shield
Valiant Shield was a large United States military war game held 19-24 June 2006 in the Pacific Ocean. According to the Navy, Valiant Shield focused on cooperation between military branches and on the detection, tracking, and engagement of units at sea, in the air, and on land in response to a wide...
, and RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific)
RIMPAC
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Conducted biennially , it is hosted and administered by the United States Navy, with the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the leadership of...
. 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. Following 7 months at sea, including 5 months in the Persian Gulf supporting Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, the Kestrels returned home in October 2008.
On March 15, 2010, two aircraft of the Kestrels were involved in a mid-air collision while training at Fallon Naval Air Station. Both pilots survived with one managing to land his plane. The other pilot ejected and was rescued by helicopter. An investigation determined that pilot error was to blame for the collision. The responsible pilot's name was redacted from the report released to the public.
On March 9, 2011, the squadron's commander was relieved and replaced after being found guilty at an Admiral's Mast of violating Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (failure to obey order or regulation). At the time, the squadron was deployed on the carrier Abraham Lincoln which was in Hawaii as it returned from a six month deployment to the western Pacific.
See also
- Naval aviationNaval aviationNaval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
- United States Naval AviatorUnited States Naval AviatorA United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
- Modern US Navy carrier air operationsModern US Navy carrier air operationsModern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or non-combat missions. Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier flight operations are highly evolved, based on experiences...
- 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