VAQ-131

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 131
Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 131
Patrol	P2V Neptune (1950-1955);

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers," is a

EA-18G Growler.^[3]

Their radio callsign is "Skybolt."

History

VP-931

VAQ-131 was originally established as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune.

VAH-4

In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior and was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4).

During the

Dixie Stations:^[4]

1 August 1963 – 10 March 1964, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany for a Western Pacific deployment
28 January-21 November 1964, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
21 October 1964 – 29 May 1965, Detachment L A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment 62 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Independence
28 September 1965 – 13 May 1966, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
19 October 1965 – 13 June 1966, Detachment C A-3Bs were embarked on
People's Republic of China claimed to have shot down a U.S. aircraft over the Leizhou Peninsula. The aircraft was identified as being squadron KA-3B #142653 which disappeared en route from Naval Air Station Cubi Point to the Kitty Hawk with four crewmen onboard.^[5]

26 October 1965 – 21 June 1966, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
29 May-16 November 1966, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
15 October 1966 – 29 May 1967, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
5 November 1966 – 19 June 1967, Detachment C KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
5 January-22 July 1967, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment G/34 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
28 December 1967 – 17 August 1968, Detachment 14 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga

In addition to the carrier deployments, in 1966 a detachment of KA-3Bs was also sent to operate from

NAS Cubi Point and Da Nang Air Base.^[6]

In November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, they became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the Standard version of the

air-to-air combat

platform.

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

NAS Whidbey Island

Aircraft assignment

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "History". www.airpac.navy.mil. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^ "Military Radio Callsign List". henney.com. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
^ "Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
^ "Statement concerning continuation of missing in action status" (PDF). 12 April 1967. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
^ "A-3 Squadron History". A-3 Skywarrior Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
^ VAQ-131 official website

External links

VAQ-131 official website