VAQ-132

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Electronic Attack Squadron 132
EA-6B Prowler(1971-2009)
EA-18G Growler(2008-Present)
[5]

Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132), the "Scorpions", is a

EA-18G Growler.[6]
The squadron's radio callsign is "Scorp".

History

VAH-2 Douglas A-3 Skywarrior on USS Ranger in 1965
An EA-18G of VAQ-132 in 2009

Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 can trace its history back to Patrol Squadron 911 (VP-911, later VP-29), established in 1946.

VAH-2

In November 1955, VP-29 personnel formed the nucleus of the squadron Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2) "Royal Rampants" and transitioned to the

NAS Whidbey Island
.

During the

Dixie Stations:[7]

  • 5 August 1964 – 6 May 1965, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
  • 7 December 1964 – 1 November 1965, A-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
  • 10 December 1965 – 25 August 1966, Detachment F A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
  • 29 July 1966 – 23 February 1967, Detachment A A-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
  • 19 November 1966 – 6 July 1967, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
  • 26 July 1967 – 6 April 1968, KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
  • 4 November 1967 – 25 May 1968, Detachment 61 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
  • 3 January-18 July 1968, Detachment 65 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
  • 29 May 1968 – 31 January 1969, Detachment 64 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation

VAQ-132

In November 1968, VAH-2 was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) and transitioned to the EKA-3B. In January 1971, they received the

EA-6B Prowler and became the first operational squadron to transition to the new aircraft.[8]

On 7 November 2008, VAQ-132 held their ceremonial last flight in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler and began the transition to the brand-new, Boeing EA-18G Growler in February 2009 with flight certification in mid-2009. Initial operational capability (IOC) was achieved on 22 September 2009, making them the first operational EA-18G squadron.[9]

On 5 August 2009, EA-18Gs from VAQ-132 and Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing (trap) aboard USS Harry S. Truman.[10]

The United States Navy's new Boeing EA-18G Growler ( "Grizzly" ) was first used in combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn by supporting efforts to enforce a UN no-fly-zone over Libya.[11] The five EA-18Gs of VAQ-132 "Scorpions" were redeployed from Al' Asad Air Base, Iraq to Aviano Air Base, Italy to support Libya operations.[12]

References

  1. ^ "History". www.airpac.navy.mil. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Military Radio Callsign List". henney.com. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. ^ "VAQ-132 Scorpions Electronic Attack Squadron EA-18G Growler". www.seaforces.org. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. ^ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-132) GlobalSecurity.org
  9. ^ EA-18G Cleared for Full Rate Production
  10. ^ Mark L. Evans and Dale J. Gordon (Summer 2010). "Year in Review 2009" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. 94 (2): 24. 0028-1417. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  11. ^ Allied Forces Attack Libya, Wall Street Journal, 20 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Roughead: Ships Were Ready for Odyssey Dawn". American Forces Press Service (US Navy), 23 March 2011.

External links

See also