About this Unit
Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), known as the "Rough Raiders," was originally established on November 13, 1980, at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. It served as the U.S. Navy’s first F/A-18 Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for training pilots and maintenance crews on the F/A-18 aircraft. VFA-125 was deactivated in 2010, but reactivated in 2017 to become the Navy’s first F-35C Lightning II Fleet Replacement Squadron, training the next generation of carrier-based stealth fighter pilots. Throughout its history, VFA-125 has played a key role in advancing naval aviation and supporting fleet readiness with cutting-edge aircraft.
Historical Facts
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Establishment: Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), known as the "Rough Raiders," was originally established on November 13, 1980 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
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First F/A-18 Hornet Training Squadron: VFA-125 was the U.S. Navy’s very first F/A-18 Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), responsible for training both pilots and maintenance crews on the new aircraft.
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Aircraft Legacy: The squadron’s lineage traces back to VA-125, which operated A-4 Skyhawks and A-7 Corsair IIs before transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet.
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Training Mission: VFA-125’s primary mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots and weapon systems officers to fly the F/A-18 Hornet and later the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
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Deactivation and Reactivation: The squadron was deactivated in October 2010 as part of a consolidation with VFA-122, but it was reactivated on January 12, 2017 to serve as the F-35C Lightning II Fleet Replacement Squadron.
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F-35C Transition: Upon reactivation, VFA-125 became the U.S. Navy’s first F-35C squadron, training pilots and maintenance personnel for the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
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International Training: Over the years, VFA-125 has trained not only U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators, but also pilots from allied nations including Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, and Spain.
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Callsign "Rough Raiders": The squadron’s callsign and mascot, the "Rough Raider," symbolize its tradition of toughness and high standards in naval aviation training.
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Safety Awards: VFA-125 has been recognized multiple times for its outstanding safety record, winning several Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Awards.
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Historical Impact: Since its founding, VFA-125 has trained thousands of aviators and maintainers, playing a pivotal role in preparing the U.S. Navy for modern carrier-based air warfare.
