VFA-137 “Kestrels”: The Pride of Lemoore

Story and photos by Steve Lewis

For nearly forty years, Strike Fighter Squadron 137—the “Kestrels”—have called Naval Air Station Lemoore home. From their very first F/A-18A Hornets in the 1980s to today’s advanced F/A-18E Super Hornets, the Kestrels have been a constant presence on the flight line, on the carrier deck, and in the skies above oceans around the world.

For the families who say their goodbyes on the flight line and the neighbors who glance up as the jets thunder across the valley sky, the Kestrels are more than just a Navy Squadron. They are friends, loved ones, and hometown heroes—a living reminder of the shared sacrifice and pride that ties Naval Air Station Lemoore to the heart of California’s Central Valley.

Taking Wing

The Kestrels were established on 1 July 1985, a time when the Navy was growing to meet Cold War demands. Their chosen name—a small but fierce falcon—perfectly captured their spirit: quick, precise, and determined.

Their first mounts were the brand-new F/A-18A Hornets, delivered later that same year. In 1986, less than a year later, they earned the Silver Anchor Award, proving that even a young squadron could soar to the top. Not long after, they deployed overseas aboard the USS Coral Sea, representing both the Navy and their hometown of Lemoore on the world stage. That cruise ended with the squadron earning the Battle “E” Efficiency Award, establishing the Kestrels as more than just rookies—they were contenders.

By their second deployment in 1989, they had already earned the Golden Tailhook Award, given to the squadron with the best carrier landing grades. For a young squadron, it was a powerful signal: the Kestrels had arrived

Answering the Call

The 1990s put the squadron into the heart of post-Cold War conflicts. In the aftermath of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the Kestrels deployed aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, flying missions in support of Operation Provide Comfort to protect Kurdish civilians.

When the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet in 1992, they gained night-attack capabilities that would soon prove critical. Reassigned to Carrier Air Wing 2, the Kestrels began regular cruises aboard USS Constellation to enforce the Southern Watch no-fly zone over Iraq. Year after year, they launched into hostile skies, striking Iraqi targets that defied United Nations resolutions.

The Kestrels’ defining moment came in 2003, as part of the opening strikes of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Flying from USS Constellation, they launched over 500 combat sorties and delivered more than 300,000 pounds of ordnance in some of the war’s most intense days.

It was during this deployment that the squadron fully embraced its namesake’s identity: a kestrel falcon hovers patiently before diving in one swift, decisive strike. The squadron’s Hornets operated the same way—ready, patient, and devastating when unleashed.

For the sailors and aviators, those long nights and tense missions were about more than orders on a page—they were about protecting one another and making sure they returned home safely to the families waiting for them.

Into the Super Hornet Era

The Kestrels were among the first squadrons to transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, the Navy’s workhorse today. Larger, more powerful, and with far greater range, the Super Hornet gave the squadron new claws.

By 2008, they were deployed again—this time aboard USS Abraham Lincoln—supporting both Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and continued missions in Iraq. Their expanded range and payload allowed them to handle the long legs required over Afghanistan while still flying maritime missions in the Gulf.

The Kestrels had gone from a young Hornet outfit to a premier Super Hornet squadron, now flying the Navy’s flagship strike fighter.

A Family Effort

Behind every flight is a team effort. Pilots may strap into the cockpit, but it’s the maintainers, ordnance crews, and support staff—many from the Central Valley themselves—who make sure the jets are ready to fly. And behind them, it’s the families who keep the home front steady, juggling school days, birthdays, and milestones while their loved ones are at sea.

Over their 40-year history, VFA-137 has earned multiple awards in addition to the Battle “E”, Silver Anchor, and Golden Tailhook Awards mentioned earlier. They have also been awarded the Safety “S” Award, the Scott F. Kirby Award for ordnance excellence, the “Broadsword” Award for best Chief’s Mess while assigned to Air Wing Two, the 2003 Captain Michael J. Estocin Award for exceptional operational performance and flight safety, and both the LTjg Bruce Carrier Award and Golden Wrench for maintenance excellence.

Their safety record is remarkable, given the tempo of their operations, but for many in the community, the real achievement is the strength of the people themselves.

Today and Tomorrow

Now flying with Carrier Air Wing 17, the Kestrels remain as busy as ever. Their recent deployments have taken them across the Pacific and into the Middle East, where they continue to support maritime security, coalition combat operations, and freedom of navigation missions. Their jets still thunder over the Valley skies, a reminder that Lemoore is not just another town—it is the beating heart of carrier aviation.

As the Navy prepares for the challenges of tomorrow, the Kestrels continue to carry forward a proud tradition: ready to protect, ready to serve, and always ready to return home to the families who make their mission possible.

The Falcon’s Promise

For the Kestrels, the falcon on their patch is more than just a bird. It’s a promise—to their shipmates, to the fleet, and to their community—that they will always be sharp, ready, and true.

Rooted in Lemoore, that promise echoes in every homecoming hug on the flight line, every child who looks up when a jet streaks across the sky, and every family who knows that when the Kestrels soar, they carry a piece of their community with them.