Lest We Forget: Strike Fighter Squadron 127 (VFA-127)

Strike Fighter Squadron 127 (VFA-127) originally was established as Attack Squadron 127 (VA-127) on 15 June 1962, formed at the new naval air station at Lemoore, California. Equipped with F9F-8T (TF-9J) Cougar jets, the VA-127 Royal Blues provided all-weather jet instrument and jet transition training to Pacific Fleet naval aviators.

In August 1966, two-seat TA-4F Skyhawks began replacing TF-9Js in VA-127. In 1970, as A-7 Corsair IIs continued to displace A-4 Skyhawks in fleet attack squadrons, VA-127 took on a new role as fleet readiness squadron for the remaining Pacific Fleet A-4 squadrons, and acquired single-seat A-4E/F versions. Two-seat TA-4Js also began augmenting the TA-4Fs in 1971.

In 1971, VA-127 began training its first foreign students, including Argentine Navy pilots who would fly the A-4 in combat in the Falklands War a decade later. By 1975, the squadron phased out its single-seat A-4E/Fs and in July 1975 ended its role as the A-4 fleet readiness squadron when the carrier fleet retired the Skyhawk. In November, the squadron assumed the role of dissimilar air combat maneuvering (DACM). In 1981, the squadron adopted the moniker Cylons, and in 1983 dropped the instrument-training role when DACM became its primary mission.

VA-127 was redesignated VFA-127 on 1 March 1987, and that September phased out its last TA-4Fs. Its TA-4Js were augmented by F-5E/F Tiger II fighters and—briefly—by T-38B and QT-38A Talon trainers. In October, the Cylons moved to NAS Fallon, Nevada, and became known as the Desert Bogeys.

VFA-127 retired its last TA-4Js in 1990, and in March 1992 acquired F/A-18A/B Hornets to simulate the latest generation threats. In the post-Cold War drawdown, however, the Navy decided to transfer the mission of adversary training to the Naval Air Reserve. VFA-127 was disestablished on 31 March 1996 as the Navy’s last active-duty adversary squadron.