Squadron History Strike Fighter Squadron ONE THREE SEVEN (VFA 137), nicknamed the “Kestrels” after the native North American Falcon, was established on 1 July 1985. The Kestrels received their first Lot VIII FA-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 40-year history, the Kestrels have cultivated a tradition of professionalism and excellence. Through 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 CV 43 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), and completed 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 Top Tailhook Awards. In September 1992, the squadron completed a homeport change to Lemoore, CA and transitioned to the night attack capable Lot XV FA-18C. In May 1993, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing TWO and embarked on board USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) for their first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) 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 Arabian Gulf on board CV 64 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 (OIF). 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 returned home in June 2003 and began the transition to the new Lot XXV FA-18E Super Hornet. After completing the safe for flight certification, the Kestrels became the third FA-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. In October 2004, the squadron transferred with the air wing to the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) for a WESTPAC cruise on the historic first ever surge deployment ordered under the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan. Following the tragic tsunami in Southeast Asia; the Kestrels joined Operation UNIFIED ASSITANCE which delivered over two million pounds of food, medical supplies, and potable water to Indonesia. Following detachment to Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, NV for air wing training a mere three weeks after returning from deployment, the squadron was recognized for its unsurpassed maintenance practices by Commander, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet with the coveted LTjg Bruce Carrier award for maintenance excellence. The squadron celebrated its 20th anniversary of Class “A” mishap-free flight hours in October 2005. Rejoining Carrier Air Wing TWO on the CVN 72, the Kestrels commenced a WESTPAC deployment in support of Commander, U.S Pacific Command’s Maritime Influence Strategy in March 2006. The cruise was marked by participation in the FOAL EAGLE, VALIANT SHIELD, and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises. VALIANT SHIELD involved three carrier battle groups and was the largest assemblage of Naval power in the Pacific since the conclusion of the Vietnam War. The Kestrels completed a fighter tactics training detachment to NAS Key West, FL in October 2006 to continue honing their air-to-air skills. The time for another deployment fast approached and the Kestrels spent Air Wing Fallon and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) acquiring the air-to-ground expertise they would need to support ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In March 2008, the Kestrels again set out on deployment with Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW 2), on board CVN 72, this time to the FIFTH Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). On 30 April 2008, CVN 72 arrived in the Northern Arabian Gulf and began supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). The Kestrels’ contribution was monumental, as their participation in the pacification of Al-Amarah (one of the last Shi’ite insurgent strongholds) coincided with an overall reduction in violence throughout Iraq. The air wing’s efforts in OIF were so successful that CVN-72 was ordered to the North Arabian Sea to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM over the skies of Afghanistan. On 8 October 2008, the Kestrels returned from a successful combat deployment only to continue their fevered battle rhythm with a November detachment to Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada where air-to-air training was conducted with F-15s. The Kestrels again conducted fighter tactics training with F-15s in March 2009, this time with the Hawaiian Air National Guard out of Hickam AFB. The squadron wrapped up its high detachment tempo by participating in the joint exercise JADED THUNDER at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida in May 2009. In the fall of 2010, the Kestrels deployed to the FIFTH Fleet AOR, this time to meet operational requirements in support of Operations NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM. The Kestrels executed flawlessly and proudly returned home winners of the CVW-2 “Broadsword” Award, signifying recognition of the best Chief’s Mess in the Carrier Air Group. Upon return from deployment in March 2011 the Kestrels were rapidly back in action, participating in the Joint Exercise NORTHERN EDGE in Alaska, Air Wing Fallon, and COMPTUEX to prepare for their next deployment. In December 2011, the Kestrels set sail for an around the world cruise in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. This Kestrel deployment was a resounding success and they returned home in August 2012 having earned the deployment Golden Wrench, Top Hook award, and the Scott F. Kirby Award for Ordnance Excellence. The deployment added to VFA-137’s legacy of consistent, professional execution of tactics, and maintenance. In the summer of 2014, the Kestrels proudly returned from RIMPAC 2014. The exercise was a resounding success and was an opportunity to foster vital relationships with foreign militaries. In September 2015, the Kestrels set sail on board the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) for the Southern Seas 2015 deployment in order to reposition the carrier to Norfolk, VA. Along the way, the squadron was able to participate in multinational exercises with the Peruvian, Chilean, and Brazilian armed forces. In the Spring of 2016 the Kestrels began preparation for WESTPAC 2017 with a detachment to NAS Fallon for Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) where the pilots honed their tactical skills. Next, the squadron was re-acquainted to carrier operations on board the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) during Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA). The return to shipboard operations demonstrated the professional abilities of the pilots and maintenance personnel. The Kestrels detached again to NAS Fallon for Air Wing Fallon to practice large force strikes, close air support, and combat search and rescue. Finally, the squadron detached in 2016 on board CVN 70 for similar training in the CVN environment. The Kestrels started 2017 with a six month WESTPAC deployment. While underway the squadron was involved in several multi-national exercises with Korea, Japan, and Australia as well as freedom of navigation operations supporting Carrier Strike Group ONE. The Strike Group was extended one month due to rising tensions with North Korea and was ordered to conduct presence missions in the Korean operating area. After the deployment, VFA-137 remained in sustainment to prepare for the following year’s deployment. In January 2018, the squadron deployed once again to the Western Pacific for a four-month cruise. The Kestrels returned home in April and had a few weeks of downtime prior to embarking on board CVN 70, in June, for the Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii. During the exercise, the Kestrels participated in multiple missile shoots and a SINK-EX of the USS RACINE (LST 1191). After returning to Lemoore, VFA-137 proceeded to NAS Fallon in August to participate in unit level training as well as large force exercises. In October, the Kestrels embarked for the last time with Team Broadsword, Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW 2) for sustainment. The Kestrels switched from Team Broadsword to Team Quicksand, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW 17) in the beginning of 2019. VFA-137 embarked on board USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) for the first time in July for Flight Deck Certification. The squadron then headed to Key West, Florida for A/A SFARP in August followed by A/S SFARP at NAS Fallon in October. In November, the squadron embarked again to integrate with CVN 68 and CVW-17 to participate in TSTA in preparation for deployment. VFA-137 embarked on board CVN 68 for Group Sail in January of 2020, which marked the first time VFA-137 was fully integrated with Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN (CSG 11). To enhance the warfighting capability of the air wing, CVW-17 executed large force exercises and joint operations at NAS Fallon as a part of Air Wing Fallon at the end of February. During Air Wing Fallon, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) began affecting daily squadron operations. When the Kestrels returned to NAS Lemoore at the end of March, the COVID-19 out-break required pre-deployment restriction of movement (ROM), during which the squadron was quarantined on board NAS Lemoore. These measures enabled the squadron to embark on board CVN-68 in May for COMPTUEX with zero cases of the virus. To prevent CSG-11 from breaking their bubble, the Kestrels deployed in June immediately following COMPTUEX. VFA-137 conducted flight operations in the SEVENTH and FIFTH Fleet areas of operation, and executed combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria in support of Operations RESOLUTE SUPPORT, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and INHERENT RESOLVE. In December, CSG-11 was tasked to provide air support for coalition forces in Somalia; the Kestrels conducted multiple armed over watch missions as well as combat tanker flights in support of Operation OCTAVE QUARTZ. The Kestrels returned home to NAS Lemoore at the end of February 2021. After a brief sustainment period, VFA-137 entered maintenance phase at the beginning of April. VFA-137 provided red air support for CVW-2’s COMPTUEX in July, and also for Carrier Air Wing ONE’s Air Wing Fallon in August. In September, the Kestrels traveled to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to work with the 525th and 90th Fighter Squadrons. During this time VFA-137 employed Infrared Search and Track (IRST) Block I (AV6+) against 5th generation aircraft to aid in the development and incorporation of IRST as a combat capability. The squadron also participated in Orange Flag 21-3 in October, continuing the development of next-generation datalink integration and kill web development. To close out 2021, VFA-137 traveled to Tyndall AFB and participated in the Navy Weapon System Evaluation Program. The squadron shot two AIM-9Ms and two AIM-120s successfully. Four Kestrels also employed the M61A2 Gatling gun against a towed banner. At the start of 2022, the Kestrels were in workups for the upcoming deployment. At the end of January, the Kestrels traveled to NAS Fallon to complete air-to-surface SFARP. After a successful completion of training in Fallon, the Kestrels embarked on board CVN 68 to conduct a Flight Deck Certification at the end of February. Immediately following the carrier detachment, VFA-137 went straight into preload for air-to-air SFARP and detached to NAS Key West in April. After honing their skills in the cockpit, the Kestrels embarked on board the CVN 68 for TSTA in May to integrate with the ship and the rest of Team Quicksand. The Kestrels returned home in June and quickly detached, again, to NAS Fallon for Air Wing Fallon in July, where the squadron participated in large force exercises and joint operations. In October, the squadron completed a three week COMPTUEX on board CVN 68, fully integrating with the entirety of CSG-11. The Kestrels wrapped up 2022 by starting a deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet area of responsibility on 1 December 2022. The Kestrels then returned home in June of 2023. After a 6 month sustainment period to include a return to Airwing Fallon and SUSTEX, the Kestrels entered maintenance phase in December of 2023. In February of 2023, a group of Kestrels detached to Tyndall AFB for the Navy Weapon System Evaluation Program at which they successfully employed several AIM-120s, AIM-9s, and the M61A2 Gatling gun against various aerial targets. After a brief 3 months in maintenance phase, the Kestrels began workups for their 2025 deployment with SFARP at home in Lemoore. Upon completion of Air-to-Air SFARP and IARP, the Kestrels embarked aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) for Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) in September. This detachment gave the Kestrels an opportunity to integrate with the carrier environment and improve the interoperability of the air wing and the carrier. In November 2024, the Kestrels once again left for detachment and headed to NAS Fallon, NV for Air Wing Fallon (AWF). This detachment afforded the Kestrels an opportunity to continue the higher-level training inherently found in large force exercises and complex mission planning environments. AWF prepared VFA-137 for a one month COMPTUEX beginning in January 2025 where the Airwing integrated with CSG-11 to execute multiple simulated long range maritime strikes in addition to high value unit defense. On 26 March 2025, the Kestrels embarked on deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet area of responsibility onboard the USS Nimitz. By June 2025, the strike group received follow-on tasking to the FIFTH Fleet area of responsibility.