VAQ-144

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Electronic Attack Squadron 144
Boeing EA-18G Growler of VAQ-144 lands aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Atlantic Ocean, 15 April 2024 (240415-N-TY639-1193).JPG
A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024
Active1 October 2021–present
(2 years, 10 months)
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-1 Emblem.svg Carrier Air Wing One
Garrison/HQ NAS Whidbey Island Emblem.svg NAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)Main Battery
Motto(s)"Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details"
Colors #ec6924  #be5227  #000000 
Mascot(s)Devil
Website https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/
Commanders
Commanding OfficerCDR. Brant "Probie" Schmall
Executive OfficerCDR. Richard R. Delk
Command Senior ChiefCMDCM. Laura Blanco
Insignia
VAQ-144 insignia VAQ-144 Emblem.svg
Callsign DEVIL
Modex 5XX [1]
Tail Code AB
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare
EA-18G Growler (2023–present)
[2]

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. [3]

Contents

History

VAQ-144 can trace its origins to the former Grumman A-6 Intruder squadron VA-196 formerly also based at NAS Whidbey Island that was disestablished in 1997 as the last operational A-6 squadron on the west coast. [2]

VA-196 KA-6D Intruder in flight c. 1982 KA-6D Intruder of VA-196 in flight c1982.jpg
VA-196 KA-6D Intruder in flight c. 1982

VAQ-144

In September 2019 the Navy transitioned a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) VAQ squadron out of the carrier environment to meet demands as an expeditionary unit. The gap in CVW Electronic Attack coverage showed a need for a 15th operational VAQ squadron. VAQ-144 was established on 1 Oct 2021 to meet this demand with a requirement to meet scheduled milestones and achieve full operational capability in fiscal year 2023. In the spring of 2023, the squadron received its first independent aircraft flown with VAQ-144 markings. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

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

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

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

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References

  1. "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  2. 1 2 "History". www.airpac.navy.mil.
  3. 1 2 "About US". www.airpac.navy.mil.