Electronic Attack Squadron 138

Electronic Attack Squadron 138, designated VAQ-138 and popularly known as the Yellow Jackets, is a United States Navy expeditionary electronic-warfare squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington. The squadron is part of the Navy's carrier aviation and expeditionary electronic-attack structure and operates the Boeing EA-18G Growler, an aircraft designed to detect, disrupt, suppress, and attack hostile radar and communications systems while supporting broader strike and air-defense missions. Established as an operational squadron in February 1976, VAQ-138 built its early identity through carrier deployments with the EA-6B Prowler. Its initial cruise was aboard USS Saratoga in the Mediterranean, followed by additional Mediterranean and Indian Ocean deployments aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS John F. Kennedy. During the 1980s and 1990s, the squadron expanded its geographic reach through repeated deployments aboard USS Nimitz and other carriers, operating in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, and surrounding regions. Its missions included support for Central American operations, the 1986 United States airstrikes against Libya, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, and repeated enforcement operations associated with Operation Southern Watch. The squadron also undertook shore-based assignments. In 1996 it temporarily filled a gap in EA-6B electronic-attack coverage at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan. In 1999, VAQ-138 deployed to Aviano Air Base in Italy for Operation Allied Force, the NATO air campaign over Serbia and Kosovo. During that operation, the squadron flew more than 500 combat sorties and employed AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles against Serbian air-defense targets, according to the squadron's published historical account. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, VAQ-138 accelerated its training and deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf. It began combat operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2001, including missions connected with Operation Anaconda. In 2003, the squadron conducted the first operational deployment of the EA-6B Block 89A configuration while operating across the Western Pacific. Its detachments supported missions and exercises from Okinawa, Japan, Guam, and South Korea. Later Prowler deployments supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and operations over Afghanistan and Iraq. During its 2007 Western Pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard USS John C. Stennis, VAQ-138 reported more than 1,700 flight hours and a 96 percent combat-sortie completion rate. Following its 2009 cruise, the squadron transitioned from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler. It was certified safe for flight in the new aircraft in August 2010. The change gave VAQ-138 a modern platform for airborne electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, intelligence collection, and protection of joint and coalition strike packages. Subsequent land-based deployments included Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2011 and repeated rotations to Misawa Air Base in Japan in 2014–2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. During the 2010s, VAQ-138 participated in exercises and multinational training events across the Indo-Pacific, including activities associated with Valiant Shield, Malabar, Keen Sword, Pacific Thunder, Cope North, and other large-force and joint-integration exercises. The squadron worked with United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, Royal Australian Air Force, Japanese, South Korean, and other partner forces. Its 2019 training included integration with F-16 Wild Weasel units, missile-training detachments at Naval Air Station Fallon, Red Flag activities, and Gunfighter Flag, an exercise focused on suppression of enemy air defenses. In September 2020, VAQ-138 became the first squadron in the history of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to conduct a high-speed anti-radiation missile firing from the home station, marking a significant local training milestone. VAQ-138's operational role is not that of a commercial brand or passenger-airline business. It is a named military aviation unit whose public identity is expressed through its designation, insignia, squadron nickname, aircraft, deployments, awards, and combat-support record. Its principal value to the Navy is the provision of airborne electronic attack and electromagnetic-spectrum capabilities in carrier, expeditionary, joint, and coalition operations.

VAQ-138 was established as an operational United States Navy squadron in February 1976. Its first deployment took place aboard USS Saratoga in the Mediterranean Sea. Additional Mediterranean and Indian Ocean cruises followed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS John F. Kennedy during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1983, the squadron joined USS Ranger for a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. After 1984, VAQ-138 completed eight deployments aboard USS Nimitz. Its operational record during this period included support for Central American operations in 1985, the United States airstrikes against Libya in 1986, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort in 1991, and Operation Southern Watch missions in 1993, 1996, and during a 1997–1998 global deployment. In late 1996, the squadron temporarily deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to cover a gap in EA-6B electronic-attack availability. After returning, it prepared for an around-the-world cruise aboard USS Nimitz. The 1997–1998 deployment was followed by several unit awards, including the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award, Battle Efficiency Award, Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award, and Golden Anchor Award. In April 1999, VAQ-138 deployed to Aviano Air Base for Operation Allied Force. The unit flew more than 500 combat sorties and fired more than 60 AGM-88 HARM missiles against Serbian targets. It subsequently completed work-ups aboard USS John C. Stennis and deployed to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf, supporting Operation Southern Watch. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks occurred while the squadron was conducting work-ups aboard USS John C. Stennis. Its training cycle was accelerated, and it deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf. Combat operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom began on December 17, 2001, including missions associated with Operation Anaconda. The squadron returned to Whidbey Island in June 2002 after a seven-month deployment. From January through September 2003, VAQ-138 conducted an extended Western Pacific deployment. During that cruise it introduced the EA-6B Block 89A configuration into operational deployment and used detachments at Kadena Air Base, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Andersen Air Force Base, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi. The squadron also participated in Exercise Foal Eagle in Korea. In 2005 it supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, recording more than 300 combat sorties and over 1,600 combat flight hours during the relevant deployment. A 2007 Western Pacific cruise with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard USS John C. Stennis supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; the squadron reported more than 1,700 flight hours and a 96 percent combat-sortie completion rate. After its 2009 cruise, VAQ-138 began converting to the EA-18G Growler. The squadron was certified safe for flight in the Growler in August 2010. It then conducted land-based deployments, including a June–December 2011 rotation to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. From 2014 onward, the squadron repeatedly operated from Misawa Air Base in Japan and used detachments throughout the Pacific. Its 2016 deployment included movements to Clark Air Base in the Philippines and Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for Exercise Valiant Shield. The 2017 and 2018 deployments again centered on Misawa and incorporated joint and multinational exercises in Japan, Guam, South Korea, and surrounding areas. The squadron's 2019 training cycle included missile-shoot detachments and other work at Naval Air Station Fallon, Red Flag integration at Eielson Air Force Base, and cooperation with F-16 Wild Weasel units. VAQ-138 also took part in Cope North and Gunfighter Flag, integrating with United States, Australian, Japanese, and Marine Corps forces while practicing large-force employment and suppression of enemy air defenses. In September 2020, it conducted the first high-speed anti-radiation missile firing from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, establishing a notable home-station training milestone. Across its history, VAQ-138 has evolved from an EA-6B carrier electronic-attack unit into an EA-18G Growler squadron capable of supporting carrier strike groups, expeditionary bases, joint forces, and multinational partners.

• 2020

  First HARM firing from NAS Whidbey Island

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  VAQ-138 became the first squadron in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island history to conduct a high-speed anti-radiation missile firing from the base.

• 2019

  Expanded multinational and SEAD training

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron participated in Cope North, Red Flag integration, Gunfighter Flag, Fallon training, and joint work with F-16 Wild Weasel units.

• 2016

  Pacific detachments and Valiant Shield participation

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  During a Misawa-based deployment, VAQ-138 detached aircraft to the Philippines and Guam and participated in Valiant Shield-related activities.

• 2010

  EA-18G Growler transition

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron completed its transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler and was certified safe for flight in August.

• 2003

  First operational EA-6B Block 89A deployment

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  VAQ-138 conducted the first operational deployment of the EA-6B Block 89A configuration during a Western Pacific cruise.

• 1999

  Operation Allied Force deployment

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron deployed to Aviano, flew over 500 combat sorties, and employed more than 60 HARM missiles against Serbian targets.

• 1991

  Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  VAQ-138 supported Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort during its carrier-era EA-6B operations.

• 1986

  Support for Libya airstrikes

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron participated in United States naval aviation operations associated with the 1986 airstrikes against Libya.

• 1976

  Operational establishment

  [1]VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org

  VAQ-138 was established as an operational United States Navy electronic-attack squadron in February.

A United States Navy expeditionary electronic-attack squadron specializing in airborne electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses, and support for carrier, joint, and coalition aviation operations.

• Electronic-attack aircraft

  EA-6B Prowler

  The EA-6B Prowler was VAQ-138's principal aircraft from its establishment through the late 2000s. The twin-engine aircraft provided carrier and expeditionary electronic attack, including radar and communications jamming, electronic support, and suppression of enemy air defenses. The squadron used increasingly capable configurations, including the Block 89A version deployed operationally in 2003.

• Electronic-attack aircraft

  EA-18G Growler

  The EA-18G Growler is VAQ-138's current aircraft platform. Derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet, it combines tactical aircraft performance with specialized electronic-warfare systems for detecting, jamming, and suppressing hostile emitters. The Growler supports carrier aviation, land-based expeditionary operations, joint strike packages, multinational exercises, and anti-radiation missile missions.

• 2011Al Asad deployment

  Iraq

  The Growler-equipped squadron operated from Al Asad Air Base from June through December 2011 in support of United States regional operations.

  Source
• 2007Afghanistan and Iraq support operations

  Afghanistan · Iraq · Western Pacific

  During a Western Pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine, the squadron flew combat missions over Afghanistan and Iraq and recorded more than 1,700 flight hours.

  Source
• 2005Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Iraq · Persian Gulf

  The squadron supported Operation Iraqi Freedom during a deployment that included more than 300 combat sorties and over 1,600 combat flight hours.

  Source
• 2001Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan · Northern Persian Gulf

  VAQ-138 began combat operations in December 2001 after an accelerated deployment following the September 11 attacks. Its missions included support for Operation Anaconda.

  Source
• 1999Operation Allied Force

  Serbia · Kosovo · Adriatic and Balkan region

  Operating from Aviano Air Base, VAQ-138 conducted electronic-attack missions supporting NATO's air campaign over Serbia and Kosovo. The squadron flew more than 500 combat sorties and fired more than 60 AGM-88 HARM missiles.

  Source
• 1993Operation Southern Watch

  Southern Iraq · Persian Gulf

  The squadron supported Operation Southern Watch during deployments in 1993, 1996, and 1997–1998.

  Source
• 1991Operation Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort

  Persian Gulf · Iraq

  VAQ-138 supported coalition air operations during Operation Desert Storm and subsequent missions associated with Operation Provide Comfort.

  Source
• 1986Libya airstrikes

  Mediterranean Sea · Libya

  The squadron participated in carrier aviation operations connected with the United States airstrikes against Libya.

  Source
• 1985Central American operations

  Central America

  VAQ-138 supported United States naval aviation operations in the Central American region during a carrier deployment aboard USS Nimitz.

  Source

• 2010

  Transition to the EA-18G GrowlerGeneration change

  Background

  The EA-6B Prowler was approaching retirement, and the United States Navy was moving its electronic-attack squadrons to the newer EA-18G platform.

  Action taken

  VAQ-138 transitioned to the EA-18G Growler and achieved safe-for-flight certification in August 2010.

  Aftermath

  The squadron continued expeditionary and carrier electronic-attack operations with a modern platform capable of integrating more closely with Super Hornet-based strike forces.

  Source

• 2003

  Operational introduction of EA-6B Block 89AGeneration change

  Background

  The Navy was upgrading the Prowler fleet's electronic-attack capabilities while VAQ-138 prepared for an extended Western Pacific deployment.

  Action taken

  VAQ-138 conducted the first operational deployment of the EA-6B Block 89A configuration and supported detachments across the Western Pacific.

  Aftermath

  The deployment demonstrated the squadron's role as an early operational user of the upgraded Prowler configuration.

  Source

1. 1VAQ-138en.wikipedia.org