VAQ-144

Electronic Attack Squadron 144
Active	1 October 2021 - Present (3 years)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Electronic Attack
Role	Electronic Warfare
Part of	Carrier Air Wing One
Garrison/HQ	NAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)	Main Battery
Motto(s)	“Dealers of deception in the dark”
Colors	#ec6924  #be5227  #000000
Mascot(s)	Devil
Website	https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/
Commanders
Commanding Officer	CDR. Jason “Murse” Windom
Executive Officer	CAPT. Brant “Probie” Schmall
Command Senior Chief	CMDCS. Samuel Statler
Insignia
Callsign	DEVIL
Modex	5XX
Tail Code	AB
Aircraft flown
Electronic warfare	EA-18G Growler (2023-Present)

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.

Boeing EA-18G of VAQ-144

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.

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.

See also

• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• VA-196 (U.S. Navy)

External links

• VAQ-144 official website