VAQ-144

Last updated

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, 7 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. Jason "Murse" Windom
Executive OfficerCDR. Brant "Probie" Schmall
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

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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.