VFA-122

VFA-122
Unit name	Strike Fighter Squadron 122
Caption	Insignia of Strike Fighter Squadron 122
Dates	1 September 1999–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Strike fighter squadron
Garrison	Naval Air Station Lemoore
Nickname	Flying Eagles
Motto	“Check Six”
Colors	Blue and Gold
Aircraft attack	F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

VFA-122 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore that performs fleet replacement training for carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews and maintenance personnel. The squadron serves as a training squadron within Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet and interacts with multiple Naval, joint, and allied units to prepare aviators for deployment aboard United States aircraft carriers and expeditionary operations. VFA-122 traces its lineage through earlier Pacific Fleet squadron organizations and plays a central role in integrating aviation tactics, maintenance practices, and carrier qualifications.

History

VFA-122 was established during a period of post-Cold War reorganization of Naval aviation assets and was reactivated to address the introduction of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet into fleet service. The squadron succeeded earlier training units that transitioned pilots from legacy F/A-18 Hornet and F-14 Tomcat platforms to multirole fighters during modernization efforts influenced by lessons from Operation Desert Storm and operations over Iraq War. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s VFA-122 coordinated with Naval Air Systems Command, Commander, Naval Air Forces, and industry partners such as Boeing to refine syllabus content and integrate incremental software and hardware upgrades emanating from Defense Acquisition programs. During its history the squadron has adjusted to evolving Northrop Grumman avionics, Raytheon sensor suites, and carrier integration standards developed in response to initiatives like the Joint Strike Fighter program and changing Department of Defense operational concepts.

Mission and role

The primary mission is to provide comprehensive fleet replacement squadron training to prepare aircrew and maintainers for assignment to operational squadrons aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and Ford-class aircraft carriers. VFA-122 conducts syllabus elements that include carrier qualification with Carrier Air Wing integration, air-to-air tactics with references to Topgun-derived doctrine, air-to-ground employment referencing procedures used in Operation Enduring Freedom, and electronic warfare coordination with EA-18G Growler units. The squadron also supports pilot continuum with refresher courses tied to standards maintained by Naval Air Training Command, Chief of Naval Operations, and Fleet Replacement Squadron accreditation processes. VFA-122 liaises with allied training institutions such as Royal Australian Navy aviation units and coordinates interoperability exercises involving United States Marine Corps aviation components.

Aircraft and equipment

VFA-122 operates the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, including single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F variants retrofitted with successive Block upgrades. Onboard systems encompass avionics suites influenced by developments from Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Honeywell components, plus weapons integration for ordnance manufactured by Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, and BAE Systems. The squadron employs advanced simulators produced in collaboration with CAE and flight-deck training rigs used by Fleet Training Center detachments. Maintenance training utilizes technical manuals aligned with Naval Air Systems Command logistics publications and parts supply chains coordinated through Defense Logistics Agency distribution nodes.

Organizational structure

VFA-122 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing training elements under Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific authority and falls within the administrative oversight of Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The squadron comprises departments mirroring operational squadrons: operations, maintenance, safety, and administration, each interfacing with shore-based commands such as Naval Air Station Lemoore leadership and Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. Leadership rotates via standard United States Navy command tours, with commanding officers and executive officers typically having previous fleet command experience aboard deployed carrier squadrons like those assigned to Carrier Strike Group 3 and Carrier Strike Group 11.

Deployments and operations

While primarily a training unit, VFA-122 supports fleet operations by providing fully qualified replacement pilots and weapons system officers to carrier squadrons deploying on Global War on Terror and Pacific deterrence missions. The squadron coordinates carrier qualification detachments aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and other fleet carriers to certify carrier suitability. VFA-122 has contributed personnel and expertise to joint exercises with United States Indo-Pacific Command, United States Central Command, and multinational exercises such as Rim of the Pacific Exercise and Malabar to enhance interoperability. The unit also participated in transition efforts for fleet modernization driven by operational requirements emanating from incidents during Operation Iraqi Freedom and theater demands in the Pacific Ocean.

Notable personnel and awards

Commanding officers, instructors, and maintenance leads within VFA-122 have included aviators with prior tactical experience from squadrons like VFA-14, VFA-41, and former VF-213 cadre, many of whom received individual recognition through Legion of Merit-level citations and unit awards administered by Chief of Naval Operations. The squadron has been recognized with awards tied to operational readiness and safety from Commander, Naval Air Forces and has contributed personnel to prestigious professional military education institutions such as Naval War College and National Defense University. Individual squadron members have earned distinctions including Air Medal recognitions while assigned earlier to operational deployment squadrons.

Category:United States Navy aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1999