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Kestrels Doing Their Part Since 1985

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080505-21
Release Date: 5/5/2008 3:49:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- The "Kestrels" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 are helping provide regional security as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Since their establishment July 2, 1985, VFA-137 has flown a variety of missions in support of operations throughout the world.

Lt. j.g. Brett Kirwan said providing strike capability and regional security are just a few of the squadron's roles they provide Abraham Lincoln and its embarked air wing.

"We are flexible enough to do surveillance and reconnaissance as well as tanking missions; not to mention air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. We do it all."

In October 2004, during the Kestrels first deployment aboard Abraham Lincoln, the squadron provided support to the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia. During Operation Unified Assistance, the squadron helped deliver more than two million pounds of food, medical supplies and potable water to Indonesia.

Johnson said the F/A-18E Super Hornet is a relatively easy aircraft to fly.

"The hardest part is the employment, validation, and doing it 100 percent right all the time; that's where all the training comes in," he said.

Johnson noted he and the other pilots of VFA 137 feel fortunate to support Abraham Lincoln and CVW-2's mission while on deployment.

"We are very thankful we're getting to use our training to help out they men and women who are fighting on the ground," he said. "It makes us feel validated, like we're doing something special out here."

VFA-137 has operated with more than 80,000 mishap-free flight hours throughout the past 22 years.

Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting operations that are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.