VAQ-133

Last updated

Electronic Attack Squadron 133
VAQ-133 Emblem.svg
Active14 March 1969 - 1 Jun 1992,
1 April 1996 - Present
(55 years, 1 month)
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
TypeElectronic Attack
Role Electronic Warfare
Part of CVW-9 Emblem.svg Carrier Air Wing 9
Garrison/HQ NAS Whidbey Island Emblem.svg NAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)Wizards
Motto(s)Push it up!
Colors #ac1f24  #ffca0e  #000000 
Engagements Operation Desert Storm
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation New Dawn
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Freedom's Sentinel
Operation Inherent Resolve
[1]
Decorations Safety "S" (5)
Battle "E" (3)
Top Hook (4)
Tactical Excellence Award (2)
[2]
Website https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-133/
Commanders
Commanding OfficerCDR. Keith Zeuner
Executive OfficerCDR. Erik Dente
Command Master ChiefCMDCM. Frederick J. Tuiel
Insignia
Callsign MAGIC [3]
Modex 5XX [4]
Tail Code NG
Aircraft flown
Bomber KA-3B Skywarrior (1969-1971)
Electronic
warfare
EKA-3B Skywarrior (1969-1971)
EA-6B Prowler(1971-1992, 1996-2013)
EA-18G Growler(2013-Present)
[5]

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Beginning in 2013, the squadron began the transition from the EA-6B to the EA-18G. Upon completion of the transition in spring of 2014, they returned to their attachment to Carrier Air Wing Nine. The squadron's nickname is "Wizards" and its radio callsign is "Magic". [6]

Contents

Squadron history

There have been two squadrons designated VAQ-133. The first squadron was established 4 March 1969 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California. The squadron originally flew the EKA-3B Skywarrior. In August 1971, it relocated to NAS Whidbey Island and transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler. That squadron was disestablished in June 1992.

VAQ-133 EKA-3B, 1971 EKA-3B Skywarrior VAQ-133 1971.jpg
VAQ-133 EKA-3B, 1971
VAQ-133 EA-6B, 2005. US Navy 050810-F-4177H-113 An EA-6B Prowler flies a mission in support of exercise Sentry Eagle.jpg
VAQ-133 EA-6B, 2005.

The current squadron, Electronic Attack Squadron 133 is the second squadron to use that designation. It was established on 1 April 1996 as a land based "expeditionary" squadron flying the EA-6B Prowler. In August 2010 it was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9. It continues to be a carrier based squadron to the present. Following the 2012-2013 deployment of Carrier Air Wing 9 on board USS John C. Stennis, VAQ-133 was reassigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight based aboard USS George H.W. Bush. This reassignment was originally slated to occur in January 2014 but changing operational requirements accelerated this reassignment until immediately after the end of the 2012-2013 deployment. As of mid-2014, VAQ-133 made a transition from the EA-6B to the EA-18G.

In 2018 VAQ-133 embarked on an "Around the World" cruise on board the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). During this deployment they flew their first E/A-18G combat missions into Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

VAQ-133 EA-18G at NAS Whidbey Island, July 2014. VAQ-133 EA-18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island.JPG
VAQ-133 EA-18G at NAS Whidbey Island, July 2014.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-135</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-140</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron ONE FOUR ZERO (VAQ-140) is a US Navy electromagnetic attack squadron. Known as the "Patriots", the squadron operates the EA-18G Growler. The squadron is home ported at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing Seven, and deploy aboard USS George H W Bush. The squadron's radio callsign is "Talon" and are formally recognized as America's Squadron. Their aircrew commonly reference the rallying cry of "Glizzy Roll" in honor of their traditional ready room hot dog roller. Their mascot is their newest aircrew dressing as Evel Knievel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-137</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 137 (VAQ-137) also known as the "Rooks", is a United States Navy electromagnetic attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Washington, flying the Boeing EA-18G Growler. The squadron is attached to Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11), which is currently assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). Their radio callsign is "Rook" and their tailcode is "NH" of CVW-11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-136</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Nine</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-142</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142), also known as "The Gray Wolves", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington. Their tailcode is AJ and their ATC callsign is "GRIM".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-139</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-209</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-130</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), also known as the "Zappers", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Carrier Air Wing 3, the Zappers deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. VAQ-130 is the oldest electromagnetic warfare squadron in the U.S. Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-131</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers," is a United States Navy tactical jet aircraft squadron specializing in kinetic and non-kinetic Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). They are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler. Their radio callsign is "Skybolt."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-132</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132), the "Scorpions", is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler. The squadron's radio callsign is "Scorp".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-134</span> Military unit

Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134) is an electromagnetic warfare squadron of the United States Navy. It is nicknamed "Garudas" and is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. The squadron is currently equipped with the Boeing EA-18G Growler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-141</span> Military unit

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141), also known as the "Shadowhawks", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy that is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, located in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, Japan. VAQ-141 falls under the cognizance of Commander, Electromagnetic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) and flies in support of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-138</span> Military unit

Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138), also known as the "Yellow Jackets", is an expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-144</span> Military unit

Electronic Attack Squadron 144 (VAQ-144), "Main Battery", is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler.

References

  1. "History". www.airpac.navy.mil. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  2. "Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  3. "Military Radio Callsign List". henney.com. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. "VAQ-133 Scorpions Electronic Attack Squadron EA-18G Growler". www.seaforces.org. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. "Electronic Attack Squadron 133 Wizards - Squadron History". United States Navy. Retrieved 19 April 2015.

See also