VAQ-132

Electronic Attack Squadron 132

VAQ-132 insignia
Active 1 November 1955
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(s) Scorpions
Mascot(s) Scorpion
Decorations 2010 Battle "E" Awardee
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander John "Mini Me" Kurtz
Aircraft flown
Attack A-3B Skywarrior
EKA-3B
EA-6B Prowler
EA-18G Growler

Electronic 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.[1] The squadron's radio callsign is "Scorp".

History

VAH-3 Douglas A-3 Skywarrior on USS Ranger in 1965
An EA-18G of VAQ-132 in 2009

Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 can trace its history all the way back to Patrol Squadron 911 (VP-911, later VP-29), established in 1946.

VAH-2

In November 1955, VP-29 personnel formed the nucleus of the squadron Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2) "Royal Rampants" and transitioned to the A3D Skywarrior and changed its homeport the following year to NAS Whidbey Island.

During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-2 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:[2]

VAQ-132

In November 1968, VAH-2 was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) and transitioned to the EKA-3B. In January 1971, they received the EA-6B Prowler and became the first operational squadron to transition to the new aircraft.[3]

On 7 November 2008, VAQ-132 held their ceremonial last flight in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler and began the transition to the brand-new, Boeing EA-18G Growler in February 2009 with flight certification in mid-2009. Initial operational capability (IOC) was achieved on 22 September 2009, making them the first operational EA-18G squadron.[4]

On 5 August 2009, EA-18Gs from VAQ-132 and Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing (trap) aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.[5]

The EA-18G was first used in combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn by supporting efforts to enforce a UN no-fly-zone over Libya.[6] The five EA-18Gs of VAQ-132 were redeployed from Iraq to Italy to support Libya operations.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
  2. ↑ "Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132) GlobalSecurity.org
  4. ↑ EA-18G Cleared for Full Rate Production
  5. ↑ Mark L. Evans and Dale J. Gordon (Summer 2010). "Year in Review 2009" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. 94 (2): 24. 0028-1417. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  6. ↑ Allied Forces Attack Libya, Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Roughead: Ships Were Ready for Odyssey Dawn". American Forces Press Service (US Navy), 23 March 2011.
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See also

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