VFA - 137 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 " " . 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 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 . 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 ) 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 ) . Between 24 – 31 March 2006 , during Foal Eagle 2006 exercises , strike squadrons VFA - 2 , VFA - 34 , VFA - 137 , and VFA - 151 from Carrier Air Wing Two teamed with U . S . Air Force aircraft from the 18th Wing based at Kadena Air Base to provide combat air patrols and coordinated bombing runs via the exercise ’ s Combined Air Operations Center . 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 .