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.
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-134) was originally established on 9 June 1969 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, flying the EKA-3B electronic warfare/tanker and KA-3B tanker Skywarriors. VAQ-134 transitioned to Detachment 134 of VAQ-135 for its 1970-71 WestPac deployment aboard the USS Ranger, and stood down in July 1971, moving to its current homeport, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
In 1972, the squadron received the EA-6B Prowler and became the U.S. Navy's third operational Prowler squadron. [6]
In September 1977, the squadron received the newer Improved Capability (ICAP I) version of the EA-6B Prowler.[ citation needed ]
2 years later, in 1979, the squadron moved to the CVW-8 in the Atlantic on board the USS Nimitz for a deployment. [7] It was during this deployment that the squadron took part in the failed rescue attempt of American hostages in Iran. [8] Late that year, the squadron celebrated 10 years of flying mishap free. [7]
VAQ-134 moved back to the Pacific deploying aboard the USS Constellation as part of CVW-9 in the Indian Ocean in 1982. This included taking part in exercises with USS Midway and USS Ranger.
Starting from September 1982, VAQ-134 would join Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) for 13 years. [7] On 1 March 1983, the air wing and VAQ-134 deployed for the first cruise of the new Nimitz class carrier USS Carl Vinson around the world which lasted until 29 October. [9] CVW-15 and VAQ-134 later make six more deployments on the Carl Vinson which included taking part in RIMPAC 84' and 86' [7] as well as PACEX 89', the largest fleet exercise since World War II.
Before PACEX 89' the squadron transitioned to ICAP II Prowler in early 1989 which allowed them to fire the AGM-88 HARM missile. Later during PACEX 89' they would become the first carrier-deployed Prowler squadron to fire one. [7]
After 1990, the squadron and CVW-15 moved to the older USS Kitty Hawk between 1991 and 1994, they made three deployments. In 1991, the squadron won the "Top Hook" award for best landing grades during the cruise Kitty Hawk made when moving from Norfolk on the Atlantic side to San Diego on the Pacific side, dubbed the "Around the Horn" cruise. [7]
In 1993, during operations as part of Operation Southern Watch, the squadron fired the AGM-88 HARM in combat for the first time. The last deployment with CVW-15 in June to December 1994 included passing through the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan and Western Pacific as well as the KEEN EDGE, ANNUAL EX and TANDEM THRUST exercises. On 17 December, the squadron celebrated yet another milestone passing 34,000 hours and 24 years without mishap before returning home on the 22nd. [7]
On 31 March 1995, after 26 years of service, VAQ-134 was disestablished for the first time along with CVW-15. [9] The squadron would, however, be recommissioned again, this being called upon to deploy to MCAS Iwakuni in Japan as the U.S. Air Force retired the EF-111A Raven. In 1999, the "Garudas" took part in Operation Allied Force against Serbia while stationed in Italy. [7]
During 2003, the squadron moved to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to take part in Operation Northern Watch. This, however, was short-lived as Operation Iraqi Freedom came about, in which the squadron took part. [7]
In December 2010, VAQ-134 deployed on a carrier for the first time in 10 years while on board the Carl Vinson again. [7]
The EA-6B was originally going to be replaced by the EA-18G in early 2015, [10] and the last deployment with the EA-6B was on USS George H.W. Bush in 2014. This transition however came in 2016 and after this, VAQ-134 deployed to Pacific as an expeditionary squadron. In 2017, they took part in Exercise Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as well as being stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan with the 35th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force. [7]
In March 2022, six squadron aircraft were deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in support of NATO's air policing efforts in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [11]
The Northrop GrummanEA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat, mid-wing electronic-warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe. The EA-6A was the initial electronic warfare version of the A-6 used by the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy; it was used during the Vietnam War. Development on the more advanced EA-6B began in 1966. An EA-6B aircrew consisted of one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers, though it was not uncommon for only two ECMOs to be used on missions. It was capable of carrying and firing anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), such as the AGM-88 HARM.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) is a naval air station of the United States Navy located on two pieces of land near Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, in Island County, Washington.
The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior is a jet-powered strategic bomber that was developed and produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was designed by Douglas on behalf of the United States Navy, which sought a carrier-capable strategic bomber. In July 1949, Douglas was awarded the contract to produce its design, having bested eight other aircraft companies' submissions. Unlike rival designs, which had aimed for a 100,000 lb (45,000 kg) maximum take-off weight, the Skywarrior was developed for a 68,000 lb (31,000 kg) take-off weight, facilitating its use from the navy's existing Midway-class aircraft carriers. Large portions of the aircraft were produced by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, including its early Westinghouse J40 turbojet engines, which failed to meet promises and were replaced by the rival Pratt & Whitney J57 engine by mid-1953. On 28 October 1952, the prototype XA3D-1 performed the type's maiden flight.
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) is the United States Navy's only EA-18G Growler training squadron. Known as the "Vikings", they are a Fleet Replacement Squadron, or FRS, and are charged with training all EA-18G aviators and developing standard operating procedures for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft. The squadron is permanently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in Puget Sound, Washington.
Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135), known as the "Black Ravens", is a United States Navy electronic attack squadron that currently operates the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. The squadron is permanently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island with a radio callsign of "Thunder".
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.
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.
Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) "Gauntlets" is a United States Navy Electronic attack squadron flying the EA-18G Growler and is currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Two, deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions including F2T2EA. The squadron is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Air Wing is currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The Tail Code of aircraft assigned to CVW-9 is NG.
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".
Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17), is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139), also known as the "Cougars", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy. They specialize in electromagnetic attack and are currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, the Cougars deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz
A modex is a number that is part of the Aircraft Visual Identification System, along with the aircraft's tail code. It usually consists of two or three numbers that the Department of the Navy, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps use on aircraft to identify a squadron's mission and a specific aircraft within a squadron. These numbers are painted conspicuously on the aircraft's nose—or, on helicopters, sometimes on the aft portion of the fuselage or forward portion of the empennage. Modexes are also painted less conspicuously on other aircraft areas. Shore-based aviation units use either two-digit or three-digit modexes, while carrier-based units always use three digits.
Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) is a United States Navy Reserve electromagnetic attack squadron. Known as the "Star Warriors", the squadron flies the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. It is assigned to the Tactical Support Wing and based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Its mission is: "To safely train to attain and maintain mobilization readiness for immediate employment in event of war or national emergency." The squadron's radio callsign is "Vader".
Electronic 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 electronic warfare squadron in the U.S. Navy.
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".
Electronic 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 "Pilum."
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".
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).
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.
| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
