Known as the patriots, the squadron operates the ea18g growler. In october, the squadron turned over its five aircraft to their sister squadron, vaq 8 the yellow jackets and returned home to whidbey. Uss nimitz cvn 68 westpac cruise book 199496 did you serve aboard uss nimitz cvn 68. In early february, vaq 9 put the new systems to the test by becoming the first squadron to use the icap iii in combat to support united states and coalition forces in iraq during the ongoing efforts in the iraq war.
For questions, corrections, or suggestions, please contact the vaq webmaster. Fly off the uss eisenhower 1978 again with the vaq 8 yellow jackets in this 18 inch wooden model. With the uss saratoga cv 60 they embarked on two deployments to the mediterranean sea where they immediately distinguished themselves as a leader in aviation safety, earning the chief of naval operations safety award. Boeing ea18g growlers complete 1st combat deployment boeing. Vaq8 was established as an operational squadron in february 1976 and made their first deployment aboard uss saratoga cv 60 to the mediterranean sea. March 2, 2017 sailors assigned to the yellow jackets of electronic attack squadron vaq 8, attend a change of command ceremony on naval air station whidbey island. Command master chief, vaq 140 patriots master chief reeder, a native of wichita falls, texas, enlisted in the united states navy in february 1993. Vaq8 yellowjackets tactical electronic warfare attack. Vaq8 was established as an operational squadron in february 1976 and made its first deployment aboard uss saratoga to the mediterranean sea. For the third time in the squadrons history, the cougars earned the coveted triple crown by receiving the battle e, cno safety s, and admiral arthur w. Vaq8 yellow jackets return to nas whidbey whidbey news.
Following completion of basic training at recruit training command, great lakes, illinois he reported to the airman apprenticeship school, also in great lakes. Low png, 319x319px, 42kb med jpeg, 1280x1280px, kb caption. Finally the scorpions finished out the deployment in october, conducting unit level training, and officially turned over five combat ready aircraft to their sister squadron, the vaq 8 yellow jackets. Us navy 050614n3494s003 an ea6b prowler, assigned to the yellow jackets of electronic attack squadron one three eight vaq8, bolters after. Dale of his duties and take command of the squadron. The insignia and lineage in the above community listing is only for currently active navy squadrons. Electronic attack squadron 9 vaq9, also known as the cougars, is an ea18g growler squadron of the united states navy. Vaq 6 aircrew flew missions in excess of six hours, often within a single flight, flexing from suppression of enemy air defenses sead to electronic attack close air support and coverage for. The close of 2002 brought with it numerous awards for vaq 9. Us navy cruise books the largest online collection of freely.
In january 1971, the scorpions received the ea6b prowler and became the first operational squadron to transition to the new aircraft. Vaq 4 was originally commissioned on 7 june 1969 at nas alameda, california as the garudas. A third electronic attack squadron, vaq8, recently deployed to a. As this was the beginning of my real adult life, i learned a lot from the navy, the people around me, and the experiences i had when assigned to the gauntlets. In august 1971, it relocated to nas whidbey island and transitioned to the ea6b prowler. Each model is carefully carved and hand painted to provide a unique piece that youll treasure. The last year of the millenium proved to be one of the busiest years in the history.
To learn about the freedom of information act, visit the navy foia web page. Us navy 050614n3494s003 an ea6b prowler, assigned to. With the uss saratoga cv 60 they embarked on two deployments to the mediterranean sea where they immediately distinguished themselves as a leader in aviation safety, earning the chief of naval. Check out our uss saratoga cv 60 crew list and reconnect with old shipmates. This listing only includes current operational squadrons note. In a like manner, vaq8 was brought about to give the u. During their first year of operation, the cougars, homebased at nas whidbey island, wa, participated in numerous operations. Established as vaq8 on 27 february 1976 insignia approved. Vaq 209 entered combat operations on april 17, 1999, and continued until hostilities ended on june 21, 1999. Electronic attack squadron 8, also known as the yellow. During deployments a vrc fleet tactical support squadron detachment provides carrieronboard delivery and is embarked aboard the carrier but is no real part of the air wing. A navy ea18g growler, assigned to the electronic attack squadron vaq 8, engages the aircraft arresting cable at a speed of 150 mph testing the arresting system, june 3, 2016, yokota air base, japan, during an annual aircraft arresting barrier system test. Electronic attack squadron 7 vaq 7 also known as the rooks, is a united states navy electronic attack squadron based at naval air station whidbey island washington, flying the boeing ea18g growler. Currently, these planes are from vrc30 west coast or vrc40 east coast.
Then in november 1968, vah2 was redesignated as tactical electronic warfare squadron 2 vaq 2 and transitioned to the eka3b. Naval air facility misawa, japan electronic attack squadron vaq 8 will relieve vaq 2, here, august 2014 as part of a routine deployment. The cougars of vaq9 became operational on 1 july 1983 under the command of cdr richard a. The squadron completed three more deployments to the mediterranean sea aboard uss dwight d. The squadron is home ported at nas whidbey island, washington. For anyone interested in obtaining ea6b prowler memorabilia, ebay always has much to offer. Nearly seven months after leaving the pacific northwest on deployment, the final eight sailors from electronic attack squadron 8 arrived at. Vaq 6 is a team of professionals within a learning organization eager to improve at all times.
Based on an old hindu myth, the garuda is the bird that took wisnu, the god of war, wherever necessary in his quest to protect gods creation from those evil forces that sought to upset and destroy it. Electronic attack squadron 6 vaq6 also known as the gauntlets is a united states navy electronic attack squadron flying the ea18g growler and are currently attached to carrier air wing two, a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions. Throughout its fortyfour year history, vaq6 has been committed to excellence, maintaining a prominent position in the electronic attack community. Nns the yellow jackets of electronic attack squadron vaq 8 returned home to naval air station whidbey island, washington, feb. Vaq8 yellow jackets ea6b ike model squadron nostalgia llc. Vaq8 yellow jackets ea6b model squadron nostalgia llc. The squadron is located in beautiful oak harbor, washington on board naval air station whidbey island. We perform our mission by employing fully mission capable aircraft and weapon systems maintained by skilled, meticulous technicians and flown by trained, disciplined aircrew, all of which are sustained by a worldclass support staff.
Vaq8 detachment arrives at clark air base commander. Vaq 4 stood down in july 1971 and moved to its current homeport, nas whidbey island. With the uss saratoga cv 60 they embarked on two deployments to the mediterranean sea where they immediately distinguished themselves as a leader in aviation. In october, the squadron turned over its five aircraft to their sister squadron, vaq8 the yellow jackets and returned home to whidbey. Vaq 8 departed naval air station north island, california on 18 january 2007 for uss john c. Fly with the vaq 8 yellow jackets in this 18 inch ea18g wooden model. Vaq 9 leadership home history new checkin ombudsman links. A complete listing of all navy squadrons and their insignia have not been compiled at this time due to the extensive nature of this listing. Electronic attack squadron 9 vaq 9, also known as the cougars, is an ea18g growler squadron of the united states navy. Navy web site has been approved by the vaq public affairs officer andor information systems security manager.
During the deployment, vaq2s personnel and aircraft supported. Navy website commanding officer 3670 n charles porter ave oak harbor, wa 98278 quarterdeckduty office. Operationally we are attached to commander electronic attack wing us pacific fleet cvwp. Vaq insignia vaq8 previous next vaq8 download image. In 1989, the rooks joined cvw1 for a med and indian ocean cruise aboard uss america cv66.
Scorpions return home to naval air station whidbey island. Vf41 f14a vf84 f14a va82 a7e va86 a7e va35 a6e and ka6d vaw124 e2c vaq8 ea6b vs24 s3a hs9 sh3h aj. Growler squadron co fired for failing to meet standards. Electronic attack squadron vaq 4 was originally established on june 7, 1969 at naval air station alameda, california, flying the eka3b skywarrior. During that time, the squadron distinguished itself as a leader in aviation safety, earning the chief of naval operations safety award. This was the third in a series of four tests to evaluate the affects of electronic attack on gps performance during time sensitive targeting and contingency operations. Patches, lapelhat pins, hats, photos, postcards, cruise books, plastic models, and much more. The squadron is attached to carrier air wing 1 cvw1, which is currently assigned to the uss theodore roosevelt.
The primary mission of vaq 4 is to conduct sustained airborne tactical electronic combat. Media in category electronic attack squadron 8 united states navy the following 50 files are in this category, out of 50 total. Check out our uss nimitz cvn 68 crew list and reconnect with old shipmates. Back to last page back to cruise book page back to uss saratoga page. Vaq9 became operational on 1 july 1983 under the command of commander richard a. When i left vaq 6 in january 1992, i had achieved the rank of e4 and the designation of aviation machinists mate petty officer third class ad3. They are attached to carrier air wing seven, and deploy aboard uss harry s.
Electronic attack squadrons vaq nas whidbey island is home to the majority of the navys vaq squadrons flying the ea18g growler, an allweather, electronic attack aircraft with the primary role of suppressing enemy air defense systems. The detachment is composed of four aircraft and about 120 personnel assigned to electronic attack squadron vaq 8, an expeditionary squadron based at naval air station whidbey island, wash. Finally the scorpions finished out the deployment in october, conducting unit level training, and officially turned over five combat ready aircraft to their sister squadron, the vaq 8. The items shown here are from my own personal collection or were submitted by others for viewing on this site. Vaq 8 was commissioned as an operational squadron in february of 1976. In september, vaq 2 participated in exercise iron spear with air defense assets from the japanese ground self defense force. Vaq8 was commissioned as an operational squadron in february of 1976. Building and maintaining the most complete and sophisticated reference on the world wide web for the u. They specialize in electronic attack and are currently stationed at naval air station whidbey island, washington.
Electronic attack squadron 8, also known as the yellow jackets, is an expeditionary ea18g growler squadron of the united states. On march 18, 2005 vaq 9 accepted the first improved capabilities iii prowler. In 1972, the squadron received the ea6b prowler and became the navys third operational prowler squadron. The squadron participated in numerous exercises during their first year of operation. Vfa22 fighting redcocks claim lineage from vf22 strike fighter squadron 22 was originally commissioned as fighter squadron 63 at naval air station norfolk, virginia in 1948, the squadron was redesignated as attack squadron 22 in july 1959 after the decomissioning of vf22 in 1958. Vaq4 was originally commissioned on 7 june 1969 at nas alameda, california as the garudas. The yellow jackets of vaq 8 are charged with projecting electronic attack dominance anywhere in the world at any time by providing fully combat ready aircraft and personnel.
During that time, vaq8 flew more than 16,000 sorties compiling over 29,300 flight hours without an accident. A place for all those current and former yellow jackets to stay connected. Clark while flying the icap improved capability ea6b prowler. Uss saratoga cv 60 mediterranean cruise book 1977 did you serve aboard uss saratoga cv 60. Vaq6 gauntlets put deployment in the history books. Electronic attack squadron 8 vaq 8, also known as the yellow jackets, is an expeditionary ea18g growler squadron of the united states navy based at naval air station whidbey island, washington.
The yellow jackets first appeared in the history books flying the ea6b prowler. With the uss saratoga cv 60 they embarked on two deployments to the mediterranean sea where they immediately. The garudas, flying the ea3b skywarriors, won the pacific fleet. The squadron is attached to carrier air wing 1 cvw1, which is currently assigned to uss harry s. The boeing ea18g growler is an american carrierbased electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the twoseat fa18f super hornet.
Prowlers flying around the boat, around the world cruise 2005, cvn70. As an expeditionary squadron, the garudas will deploy worldwide to support u. When the yellow jackets of electronic attack squadron vaq 8. Vaq8 yellow jackets ea18g model squadron nostalgia llc. Uss saratoga cruise books currently for sale on ebay. The first squadron was established 4 march 1969 at naval air station alameda, california. The best electronic attack squadron in the world doing what they do best. Social media search naval history and heritage command. Air force expeditionary wings, alliedcoalition task forces, marine aircraft groups, and u. Electronic attack squadron 7 vaq7 also known as the rooks, is a united states navy electronic attack squadron based at naval air station whidbey island washington, flying the boeing ea18g growler. Washingtonbased vaq8 yellow jackets starting as executive officer in october.
Based in the pacific northwest at naval air station whidbey island, wa, vaq 8 projects electronic dominance utilizing the new ea18g growler. The ea18g replaced the northrop grumman ea6b prowlers in service with the united states navy. In march 1986, vaq 7 coauthored and participated in the successful air strike against an sa5 site at sirte, libya. Welcome aboard and congratulations on your assignment to the world famous black ravens of electronic attack squadron one three five vaq 5. The yellow jackets first appeared in the history books flying the ea6b prowler aboard uss saratoga cv 60. Each model is carefully carved and painted to provide a unique piece that youll treasure. Vaq 8 deployed to the philippines in june as part of an air contingent designed to promote interoperability and joint training at.
Vaq 4 was later asked to participate in the gypsy charlie evaluation at nellis test range in nevada. Electronic attack squadron 8 returns home to whidbey island. The gauntlets are proud to continue that commitment and remain dedicated to mission readiness and sailor development. During nine months at sea, vaq 7 participated in nine major exercises in the north atlantic, mediterranean sea and indian ocean. Eisenhower departed naval station norfolk for type training off roosevelt roads, puerto rico, embarking vf142, vf143 and vaq 8 as new squadrons to carrier air wing cvw 7. Us navy cruise books are unofficial publications published by a ships crew to document a cruise or deployment.