VAQ-132
| Electronic Attack Squadron 132 | |
|---|---|
_-_insignia.gif) VAQ-132 insignia |
|
| Active | April, 1957 |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Role | Airborne Electronic Attack |
| Part of | Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMVAQWINGPAC) |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island |
| Nickname | Scorpions |
| Mascot | Scorpion |
| Decorations | 2010 Battle "E" Awardee |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander John "Mini Me" Kurtz |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A-3D Skywarrior EKA-3B EA-6B Prowler EA-18G Growler |
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132), the "Scorpions", is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The Scorpions fly the EA-18G Growler[1] and are attached to Carrier Air Wing 17. The squadron's radio callsign is "Scorp".
Contents |
[edit] History
Electronic Warfare Squadron One Three Two can trace its history all the way back to Patrol Squadron Twenty Nine (VP-29). In April 1957, the squadron was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2) and transitioned to the A-3D Skywarrior and changed its homeport the following year to NAS Whidbey Island. Then in November 1968, VAH-2 was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One Three Two (VAQ-132) and transitioned to the EKA-3B. In January 1971, the Scorpions received the EA-6B Prowler and became the first operational squadron to transition to the new aircraft.[2]
On November 7, 2008, VAQ-132 held their ceremonial last flight in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler. They began the transition to the brand-new, Boeing EA-18G Growler in February 2009 with flight certification in the Summer of 2009. Initial operational capability (IOC) was achieved on September 22.[3] The Scorpions were the first operational squadron to transition to the EA-18G.
On 5 August 2009, EA-18G Growlers from VAQ-132 and Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing (trap) aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).[4]
The EA-18G was first used in combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn by supporting efforts to enforce a UN no-fly-zone over Libya.[5] The five EA-18Gs of VAQ-132 were redeployed from Iraq to Italy to support Libya operations.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
- ^ Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132) GlobalSecurity.org
- ^ EA-18G Cleared for Full Rate Production
- ^ "Year in Review 2009". Naval Aviation News 94 (2): 24. Summer 2010. 0028-1417. Retrieved 2010-10-12. Text " Mark L. Evans and Dale J. Gordon " ignored (help)
- ^ Allied Forces Attack Libya, Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2011.
- ^ "Roughead: Ships Were Ready for Odyssey Dawn". American Forces Press Service (US Navy), 23 March 2011.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Electronic Attack Squadron 132 |
[edit] See also
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