VAQ 136 Prowls at Cope North

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Stacy Brown, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, conducts maintenance on an EA-6B Prowler. VAQ-136 is participating in Cope North, a two-week annual bilateral exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. VAQ-136 is homeported at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corwin Colbert/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Corwin Colbert, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, participated in Exercise Cope North 10-1 Feb. 7-19 at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam.

Cope North is a bilateral field exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

VAQ 136 had three EA-6B Prowlers used during the exercise to simulate combat missions against the U.S. Air Force and JASDF.

"This is a good opportunity for all sides to learn how each side operates," said Lt. Dick Rosenbusch, a VAQ 136 naval flight officer.

According to Rosenbusch, the Prowler's primary mission is to support strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within a combat area.

"Think electronic warfare," Rosenbusch said. "The Prowler is not your typical fighter. It is not a strike fighter, which has both air-to-air and air-to-ground strike capabilities. They do have, however, air-to-ground capabilities but that is not the primary mission. The primary mission is to jam enemy radars allowing our strikers to get within range of a target without being shot down."

VAQ 136's maintenance crew spent countless hours making sure the aircraft were safe and operational.

"We start working at 5 in the morning, performing inspections and general service requirements," said Chief Aviation Maintenance (AW) Toby Spanos, with VAQ 136. "Each inspection could be as long as three hours per plane during pre-flight and post-flight. It's an old bird, so the maintenance can be pretty labor intensive."

Cope North provides a venue for cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces and to improve capabilities for the defense of Japan. The primary focus is readiness and coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures between U.S. forces and the JASDF.

VAQ-136 Prowler Makes Last "Flight" at NAF Atsugi

Sailors assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 136 tend the guide lines while "Crispy," the squadron's EA-6B Prowler model, is craned to a permanent display in Naval Air Facility Atsugi's Prowler Park. The 1962 prowler made its final trip from the Atsugi flight line to the park after it was completely gutted and restored by VAQ-136 Sailors. (U.S. Navy photo)

By Tim McGough, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, Public Affairs

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136's EA-6B Prowler made its final "flight" at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, March 13.

The aircraft was moved to a static display area in the facility's Prowler Park. To move the Prowler into place, Sailors from VAQ-136 and naval security police, environmental, air operations and public works departments pulled together to get it ready.

"It's a sad day but also a good day," said Cmdr. Mark Colombo, VAQ-136 commanding officer. "It's a sad day to see a good friend go but it's also a comforting day to know it's going to rest well in its last assigned duty station, NAF Atsugi."

Colombo gathered members from VAQ-136 and escorted the Prowler through the streets of Atsugi to Prowler Park.

A 200-ton crane was on deck for the Sailors, civilians and Japanese contractors assisting the Prowler. With safety a priority, everyone donned gear as if they were on the flight line or a carrier.

"We have to make sure everything is secured properly before we begin to raise her to her mounts," said Lt. Freddie Koonce, Atsugi's air field support officer and project manager for the Prowler move.

With slow and steady precision and Sailors tending the lines, the Prowler was lifted off the jacks and was "airborne."

The Prowler made a perfect "landing" at the final resting place for NAF Atsugi residents and guests to enjoy for years to come.

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)