VAQ-138
Encyclopedia
Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138), also known as the "Yellow Jackets", is an expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy
based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
, Washington. Their mission is to project Electronic Attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time by providing fully combat ready aircraft and personnel. Their radio callsign is "RAMPAGE".
to the Mediterranean Sea
. The squadron completed three more deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Following an around-the-world deployment in 1982 aboard Kennedy, the squadron joined USS Ranger (CV-61)
for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
in 1983. After 1984, the Yellow Jackets made eight deployments aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68), participating in Central American operations in 1985, the Libyan counter-terrorist operation in 1986, Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort
in 1991, and Operation Southern Watch
in 1993, 1996, and a 1997-1998 around-the-world deployment.
November of 1996 saw the selection of the Yellow Jackets to fill a two month gap in EA-6B coverage at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
, Japan
. Upon their return, workups were started for an around-the-world cruise on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The conclusion of the 1997-1998 Persian Gulf
deployment again found the Yellow Jackets recognized for superior performance and awarded the 1997 Admiral Arthur W. Radford
Award, the 1997 Battle Efficiency Award
, the 1997 CNO Aviation Safety Award, and the 1998 Golden Anchor Award.
In April 1999, VAQ-138 deployed to Aviano Air Base
, Italy
to conduct combat operations over Serbia
and Kosovo
during Operation Allied Force
. While deployed to Aviano, the squadron flew over 500 combat sorties and fired more than 60 AGM-88 HARM
against Serbian targets. Three weeks after returning from Italy, the squadron began work-ups aboard the USS John C. Stennis which culminated in a Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployment, during which they conducted two and a half months of missions in support of Operation Southern Watch
.
found the squadron underway for work-ups aboard the USS John C. Stennis, and resulted in an accelerated work-up cycle and deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf. The squadron commenced combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on December 17, 2001 and included missions in support of Operation Anaconda
. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island following seven months of deployment in June 2002.
In September 2002, the squadron began work-ups for an eight-month deployment to the Western Pacific from January though September 2003. During this time, the squadron transitioned to the Block 89A configuration of the EA-6B, and conducted the first operational deployment of the Block 89A. During the deployment, the squadron executed detachments to Kadena Air Base
, Okinawa; MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Andersen Air Force Base
, Guam
, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi
, Japan and participated in Exercise Foal Eagle
in Korea
.
The Yellow Jackets departed San Diego in February 2005 and sailed into Norfolk, VA, on the last day of July after flying over 300 combat sorties and amassing over 1600 combat flight hours during four months of supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets departed Naval Air Station North Island
, Coronado
, California
on 18 January 2007 for the USS John C. Stennis to begin their seven month Western pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), during which they supported the ongoing operations in Afghanistan
and Iraq
.
The Yellow Jackets amassed over 650 flight hours consisting of combat missions over Afghanistan and Iraq and also contributed to vital security operations in the Persian Gulf. During their 2007 WESTPAC, the four EA-6B ICAP III Prowlers of VAQ-138 logged over 1,700 flight hours, and the Yellow Jacket Maintenance team was instrumental in helping the aircrew achieve a 96% combat sortie completion rate.
Following their 2009 cruise onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
, the Yellow Jackets began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler
, the most advanced Electronic Attack aircraft in the world today. They were certified 'Safe for Flight' in their new aircraft in August of 2010.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....
, Washington. Their mission is to project Electronic Attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time by providing fully combat ready aircraft and personnel. Their radio callsign is "RAMPAGE".
1970s – 1990s
VAQ-138 was established as an operational squadron in February 1976 and made its first deployment aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60)USS Saratoga (CV-60)
USS Saratoga , was one of four Forrestal- class supercarriers built for the US Navy in the 1950s. Saratoga was the sixth US Navy ship, and the second aircraft carrier, to be named for the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War.Commissioned in 1956, she spent most of her career in...
to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. The squadron completed three more deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS John F. Kennedy is a John F. Kennedy class aircraft carrier, the last conventionally powered carrier built for the United States Navy. The ship is named after the 35th President of the United States, John F...
during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Following an around-the-world deployment in 1982 aboard Kennedy, the squadron joined USS Ranger (CV-61)
USS Ranger (CV-61)
The seventh USS Ranger is one of four Forrestal-class supercarriers built for the US Navy in the 1950s. Commissioned in 1957, she served extensively in the Pacific, especially the Vietnam War, for which she earned 13 battle stars. Near the end of her career she also served in the Indian Ocean and...
for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
in 1983. After 1984, the Yellow Jackets made eight deployments aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68), participating in Central American operations in 1985, the Libyan counter-terrorist operation in 1986, Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
in 1991, and Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
in 1993, 1996, and a 1997-1998 around-the-world deployment.
November of 1996 saw the selection of the Yellow Jackets to fill a two month gap in EA-6B coverage at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni or MCAS Iwakuni is a United States Marine Corps air station located in the Nishiki river delta, southeast of the Iwakuni Station in the city of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi in Japan.-Tenant commands:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Upon their return, workups were started for an around-the-world cruise on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The conclusion of the 1997-1998 Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
deployment again found the Yellow Jackets recognized for superior performance and awarded the 1997 Admiral Arthur W. Radford
Arthur W. Radford
Arthur William Radford was a United States Navy Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Command and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Arthur Radford was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1896...
Award, the 1997 Battle Efficiency Award
Battle Efficiency Award
The Battle Effectiveness Award , commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of U.S...
, the 1997 CNO Aviation Safety Award, and the 1998 Golden Anchor Award.
In April 1999, VAQ-138 deployed to Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base
Aviano Air Base is a NATO Air Base under U.S. Air Force administration in northeastern Italy, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. It is located in Aviano municipality, at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps, or Southern Carnic Alps, about 15 kilometers from Pordenone.-Units:Aviano is hosted by the...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to conduct combat operations over Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
during Operation Allied Force
Operation Allied Force
The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia was NATO's military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. The strikes lasted from March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999...
. While deployed to Aviano, the squadron flew over 500 combat sorties and fired more than 60 AGM-88 HARM
AGM-88 HARM
The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile is a tactical, air-to-surface missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. It was originally developed by Texas Instruments as a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM system...
against Serbian targets. Three weeks after returning from Italy, the squadron began work-ups aboard the USS John C. Stennis which culminated in a Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployment, during which they conducted two and a half months of missions in support of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
.
War on Terror
The September 11, 2001 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
found the squadron underway for work-ups aboard the USS John C. Stennis, and resulted in an accelerated work-up cycle and deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf. The squadron commenced combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on December 17, 2001 and included missions in support of Operation Anaconda
Operation Anaconda
Operation Anaconda took place in early March 2002 in which the United States military and CIA Paramilitary Officers, working with allied Afghan military forces, and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization and non NATO forces attempted to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the Shahi-Kot...
. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island following seven months of deployment in June 2002.
In September 2002, the squadron began work-ups for an eight-month deployment to the Western Pacific from January though September 2003. During this time, the squadron transitioned to the Block 89A configuration of the EA-6B, and conducted the first operational deployment of the Block 89A. During the deployment, the squadron executed detachments to Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Okinawa; MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
is a naval air base located in the cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest United States Navy air base in the Pacific Ocean and houses the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 5, which deploys with the aircraft carrier...
, Japan and participated in Exercise Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
The Yellow Jackets departed San Diego in February 2005 and sailed into Norfolk, VA, on the last day of July after flying over 300 combat sorties and amassing over 1600 combat flight hours during four months of supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets departed Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
, Coronado
Coronado
Coronado may refer to:* Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer* Rodney Coronado, a US activist* Coronado, California* Coronado, Chihuahua* Coronado, Kansas* Coronado * Coronado Yachts* Coronado 15...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on 18 January 2007 for the USS John C. Stennis to begin their seven month Western pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), during which they supported the ongoing operations in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
The Yellow Jackets amassed over 650 flight hours consisting of combat missions over Afghanistan and Iraq and also contributed to vital security operations in the Persian Gulf. During their 2007 WESTPAC, the four EA-6B ICAP III Prowlers of VAQ-138 logged over 1,700 flight hours, and the Yellow Jacket Maintenance team was instrumental in helping the aircrew achieve a 96% combat sortie completion rate.
Following their 2009 cruise onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...
, the Yellow Jackets began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler
EA-18G Growler
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G will replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is...
, the most advanced Electronic Attack aircraft in the world today. They were certified 'Safe for Flight' in their new aircraft in August of 2010.
See also
- Naval aviationNaval aviationNaval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
- Modern US Navy carrier air operationsModern US Navy carrier air operationsModern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or non-combat missions. Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier flight operations are highly evolved, based on experiences...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons