VFA-125
| Strike Fighter Squadron 125 | |
|---|---|
_insignia_2017.png)
VFA-125 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 13 November 1980 – 1 October 2010 and 12 December 2016 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter / Attack |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Lemoore CA |
| Nickname(s) | "Rough Raiders" |
| Mascot(s) | "Chuckie" |
| Decorations | CNO Aviation Safety Award |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-35C Lightning II |
Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), also known as the "Rough Raiders", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The "Rough Raiders" are a Fleet Replacement Squadron flying the F-35C Lightning II.
There have been three distinct squadrons known as the Rough Raiders. The first VA-125 was most likely established in 1946 as Naval Reserve Squadron VA-923. It was activated for service in the Korean War on 20 July 1959, redesignated VA-125 in February 1953 and was disestablished on 10 April 1958. The second VA-125 was established on 30 June 1956 as VA-26 and redesignated VA-125 Rough Raiders on 11 April 1958, one day after the first VA-125 disestablished. That second VA-125 was disestablished on 1 October 1977.
The VFA-125 "Rough Raiders" were established on 13 November 1980 at NAS Lemoore, California, becoming the Navy's first F/A-18 squadron. Often, a new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of earlier squadrons, but officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation. VFA-125 received its first aircraft in April 1981, and by March 1985, had amassed over 30,000 mishap-free flight hours in the Hornet.
On 1 October 2010, VFA-125 was deactivated as an F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron, and its aircraft and personnel were incorporated into VFA-122.
The "Rough Raiders" trained F/A-18 pilots for the U.S. Navy, pilots and Naval Flight Officers for the U.S Marine Corps, and pilots and weapon systems officers for various NATO and Allied nations. Flight training was supplemented by the latest state-of-the-art computer flight simulators and computer based academic instruction to enhance understanding and performance in the Hornet. In addition, the squadron routinely conducted strike and fighter detachments to NAF El Centro, California and NAS Fallon, Nevada, as well as aboard aircraft carriers in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets.
...
Wikipedia