USS Stennis Conducting CQ Ops in the SoCal Opareas

An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the Eagles of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is underway conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)

VAQ-129 Prowler 907 Makes Final Flight

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- A Navy EA-6B Prowler from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 made its final flight from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in preparation for retirement July 20.

The flight of Prowler 907 terminated upon arrival at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., where the 309th Aerospace and Maintenance Regeneration Group will begin the process of preparing the aircraft for reclamation and preservation.

"It's fitting that we mark this day of taking this aircraft to the "boneyard," but Prowlers still have quite a bit more work to do for the nation," said Capt. Tom Slais, deputy commodore of Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "[The EA-6B] is carrying the lion's share of the load for electronic attack in the U.S. military."

Prowler 907 began service August of 1975 and attained more than 11,000 hours of flight time, with more than 18,000 landings in nearly 34 years of active duty. In total, upon departure from NAS Whidbey Island, the aircraft amassed 7,019 field carrier landing practice landings, 9,069 field landings, 1,651 catapults, 1,656 ship arrested landings and 1,706 total arrested landings, reaching an average 147 catapults and 152 arrestments per 1,000 hours.

One of the former plane captains of Prowler 907, Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Donnavin Brown, formerly of Electronic Attack Squadron 129, who now works for L-3 Communications Corporation on NAS Whidbey Island, was granted the privilege of fulfilling his prior role one more time to send the jet on its way. Brown was plane captain from August to December 2008.

"It's sad that my aircraft was the first to go to the boneyard, but I couldn't have asked for anything better," said Brown. "I was glad that I got to do this."

As the Navy transitions away from the EA-6B toward the EA-18G Growler more Prowlers will continue to be removed from active service, but the aircraft still provides substantial warfighter capability and will remain a valuable asset for the remainder of its lifespan.

"The thing about this is that it's 2009, and we're currently scheduled to fly this aircraft until 2013 so we still have [a few] years of flying EA-6Bs out of Whidbey Island right now, and the Marines will be flying them until 2019. We still have a lot more work to do with this aircraft," said Slais.

VAQ 137: Electronic Warriors

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kristin Baker, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

The "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, provide electronic warfare for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf in support of Maritime Security Operations as well as Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., the "Rooks" are the only CVW 1 squadron stationed on the West Coast. They provide support for the men and women on the ground and in the air with electronic warfare from their EA-6B Prowlers.

"We provide specific protection by helping control the electromagnetic spectrum," said Cmdr. Jim Lins, commanding officer of the Rooks. "This way our troops are able to use that spectrum offensively and defensively."

"Essentially, our job is to jam radar and communications of the enemy nature," said Aviation Structural Mechanics (Equipment) 1st Class (AW) Adrienne Stem, VAQ 137's Aviation Structural Mechanics (Equipment) leading petty officer.

To carry out a task of this magnitude the Rooks are fully prepared and at the head of the game. With many versions of the EA-6B, the Rooks are unique in that they fly the newest and most advanced version, the Improve Capability III. VAQ consists of four aircraft and 210 personnel; 180 enlisted and 30 officers.

"Prowlers are a national asset high in demand but there are only a handful in the fleet," said Lins.

The EA-6B Prowlers do not get much down time. Flying an average of seven missions each day, and working eight days on and one day off, the Rooks are keeping busy and working rigorously to complete the mission each and every day.

"With this being our second deployment back-to-back, sometimes keeping the crew focused while fighting complacency can be difficult," said Lins.

Lins credits the high morale of his crew members with making this deployment easier.

"I have an extraordinary group of Sailors and chief mess that makes not only my job easier, but also helps keep motivation high," added Lins.

Keeping motivation high and battling complacency is a challenge, but knowing the job directly impacts others helps make that challenge easier.

"We have such a great crew here working together as a team toward completing the mission," said Stem. "Each and every one of us holds the Rooks in high regard and constantly completes the job in a timely and efficient manner."

The hard work and dedication of VAQ 137 has earned the squadron four Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, six Battle E's, three Navy Expeditionary Medals and two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals. They have received one Humanitarian Service Award, four Safety "S" Awards, a Prowler Excellence Award, and have been selected as the "Prowler of the Year" twice. They have also been awarded the prestigious Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award four times. It is the highest achievement in electronic warfare for all VAQ and VMAQ (Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare) squadrons.

At the end of each day, the VAQ 137 crew members go to
bed knowing they have done something important to make a difference in the lives of others.

"We provide support to men and women on the ground in Baghdad and other places," said Lins. "It is reassuring to know we are making a difference for those men and women with boots on the ground."

Kitty Hawk in South China Sea

An aircraft director guides the pilot of an E/A-6B Prowler assigned to the “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 to a catapult aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is more than three months into her summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau)