The Kestrels were established as Strike Fighter Squadron 137 (VFA-137) on July 1, 1985. The squadron received its first F/A-18A Hornet later that year and made its first deployment in 1987. In 1992, VFA-137 transitioned to the night-attack-capable F/A-18C Hornet, beginning a new chapter of carrier operations and combat deployments.
The Kestrels flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch throughout the 1990s and later participated extensively in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During combat operations in 2003, VFA-137 flew more than 500 combat sorties and delivered more than 300,000 pounds of precision-guided ordnance. Following that deployment, the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet and became the Navy's third operational F/A-18E squadron.
Since transitioning to the Super Hornet, the Kestrels have continued to participate in operations around the world, including Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom's Sentinel. Today, VFA-137 continues to fly the single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, carrying forward more than four decades of strike-fighter history and combat service.
