VFA-136

• Nickname - "Knighthawks": Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) is famously known as the "Knighthawks," a name that reflects their ethos of honor and readiness. • Established in 1985: VFA-136 was officially established on July 1, 1985, at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, before moving to NAS Cecil Field, Florida. • First to Deploy with F/A-18C: The squadron was the first fleet unit to transition to and deploy with the advanced F/A-18C Hornet, becoming operational in 1987. • Gulf War Service: The Knighthawks participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, flying combat missions from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and later USS George Washington (CVN-73). • Cruise Patch Tradition: VFA-136 is known for its unique cruise patches that commemorate each deployment, a popular collectible among naval aviators. • Home Base Relocation: After NAS Cecil Field closed in 1999, VFA-136 relocated to NAS Oceana in Virginia, its current home. • Operation Southern Watch: The squadron enforced no-fly zones over Iraq in the 1990s as part of Operation Southern Watch, helping maintain post-Gulf War security. • Carrier Air Wing 7: VFA-136 is an integral part of Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), regularly deploying aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). • Humanitarian Assistance: The Knighthawks have participated in humanitarian missions, including disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. • Ongoing Legacy: VFA-136 continues to fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, maintaining a reputation for operational excellence and readiness in both combat and peacetime missions.