Strike Fighter Squadron ONE THREE SEVEN [VFA-137]
"Kestrels"
Strike Fighter Squadron 137, nicknamed the "Kestrels" after the native North American Falcon, was established on 2 July 1985. The Kestrels received their first Lot VIII F/A-18 Hornet on 25 November 1985 with additional aircraft arriving each month thereafter. After an initial stand-up period the squadron completed its first major training Detachment in Yuma, Arizona in June 1986. In October of that year the squadron received the Silver Anchor Award for new construction squadrons.
The squadron has been fully operational since, with a total complement of 12 F/A-18C aircraft, 24 Officers and 189 Enlisted personnel. In their first 15 years, the Kestrels accumulated over 58,000 accident free hours and have made over 12,000 carrier arrested landings.
In 1987-1988 the squadron made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea embarked on the "Ageless Warrior," USS Coral Sea (CV 43). At the time, the Kestrels were part of Carrier Air Wing 13. That year the squadron was recognized with the Commander Naval Air Forces, U. S. Atlantic Fleet Battle "E" award, and was voted the Light Attack Wing One Maintenance Squadron of the Year. In 1989, the squadron made its second deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Coral Sea. In August the Kestrels were on board Coral Sea patrolling the Eastern Mediterranean in response to Colonel Higgin's murder in Lebanon. During this deployment, Kestrel pilots won the Air Wing's Golden Tailhook award for carrier landing excellence. In October 1990, the squadron transferred to Carrier Air Wing Six aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59) where they completed an accelerated work-up cycle and their third Mediterranean deployment. During this deployment, the Kestrels flew combat sorties in the skies above Iraq in support of Operation Provide Comfort and won two more Tailhook Awards.
In September 1992, the squadron completed a homeport change to Lemoore, California and began transition to the night attack capable, enhanced performance Lot XV F/A-18C. In May 1993, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing Two, and embarked in USS Constellation (CV 64) fresh out of overhaul for a South American transit. With the addition of Marine Corps Squadron VMFA-323 to the Air Wing, the Kestrels become part of the Navy's first power projection air wing which included three Lot XV Hornet squadrons and one D-model Tomcat squadron.
The Kestrels deployed aboard the USS Constellation for their first Western Pacific Deployment on 11 November 1994, assisting in the enforcement of the no-fly zone above Iraq supporting Operation Southern Watch. One year later, the squadron began work-ups for another Western Pacific Deployment, and on 1 April 1997, the Kestrels Deployed aboard USS Constellation for their second Western Pacific Deployment, again supporting Operation Southern Watch and enforcing the no-fly zone above Iraq. Maintaining this busy schedule, the Kestrels once again deployed on board USS Constellation on 18 June 1999 and returned on 16 December 1999, and amassed three consecutive battle group safety awards during that same fiscal year.
During 2000 squadron was engaged in its turn-around cycle getting ready for their deployment which began in March 2001.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
