VFA-136

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six


caption=VFA-136 Insignia
dates= 1 July 1985 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= US Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role=
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing One
garrison= NAS Oceana
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
garrison_label=
equipment= F/A-18E Super Hornet
equipment_label=
nickname= "Knighthawks"
patron=
motto=
colors=
colors_label=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Vigilant Warrior
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=
current_commander=
current_commander_label=
ceremonial_chief=
ceremonial_chief_label=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=

Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) also known as the "Knighthawks" is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The "Knighthawks" are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18 Hornet. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) and homeported at NAS Oceana. Their tailcode "AB" and thier radio callsign is "Hawk".cite web
title = Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six
work = US Navy
publisher = Global Security.org
url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vfa-136.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-01 ]

quadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s Knighthawk insignia and nickname were approved by CNO on 23 May 1985 and have remained unchanged.

History

1980s

Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six was established on 1 July 1985 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California under the instruction of VFA-125. The Knighthawks received their first F/A-18A on 7 Jan 1986, and a month later they moved to their new homeport of Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. VFA-136 first deployed in September 1987 with Carrier Air Wing Thirteen on board the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). One year later, the Knighthawks joined Carrier Air Wing Seven on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).

1990s

During the "Ike’s" "Centennial Cruise" in 1990, the Knighthawks participated in exercises with French, British, Italian and Tunisian forces. The cruise took a serious turn after Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990. In support of Operation Desert Shield, the Ike was on station in the Red Sea within 36 hours, becoming the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the area. After returning from deployment in Nov 1990, the "Knighthawks" upgraded to the new Lot XIII Night Attack F/A-18C. The Knighthawks became the first fully operational night strike Hornet squadron in the Navy.

In October 1991, the "Knighthawks" and "Ike" were back in the Persian Gulf enforcing the peace accords set after Operation Desert Storm. Upon completion of those operations, the team transitioned to the North Atlantic to participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Exercise "TEAMWORK '92". This would be the largest NATO exercise in over three years. The "Knighthawks" next deployed aboard the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN-73) for her maiden cruise in May 1994. "George Washington" was the flagship for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, hosting President Bill Clinton. During the cruise, the "Knighthawks" participated in NATO Operations Deny Flight (over Bosnia-Herzegovina), Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior (both in the Persian Gulf). In addition to supporting NATO, the "Knighthawks" also participated in exercises in England, France, Sicily, Jordan, Tunisia, Bahrain and Oman. The squadron returned from deployment in November 1994. The "Knighthawks" deployed again aboard "George Washington" in January 1996 in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch.

In February 1998, the "Knighthawks" embarked on the maiden deployment of USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). This "world cruise" included a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and culminated in the arrival of USS John C. Stennis in their new homeport of San Diego, California.

Immediately following this deployment, the "Knighthawks" relocated to Naval Air Station Oceana in December 1998 as mandated by the Base Realignment and Closure decision.

2000s

In February 2000, the "Knighthawks" embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) to the Mediterranean. In March 2000, the "Knighthawks" flew in support of the Dayton Accords governing the peace between the former warring factions in Bosnia and other parts of the Balkans. "Eisenhower" then proceeded to the Persian Gulf, in support of Operation Southern Watch, returning to Norfolk on 18 August 2000.

VFA-136 is currently transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet under the instruction of VFA-106.

See also

*List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*Naval aviation
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
*United States Naval Aviator
*United States Marine Corps Aviation
*Military aviation
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

References

External links

* [http://www.vfa136.navy.mil Official VFA-136 Knighthawks web site]