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US Navy - Electronic Attack Squadron 137
(VAQRON 137) VAQ-137 'Rooks' former Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 137 |
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 EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - July 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - July 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - July 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - July 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - July 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) over Afghanistan - January 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) over Washington State - September 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - September 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - September 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - August 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - February 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - November 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - September 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - August 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) - February 2016  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) - February 2016  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - November 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - November 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - September 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - July 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - July 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - July 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - May 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) assigned to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 2014  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - September 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - September 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - March 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - March 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - March 2012  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - July 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - June 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) over Afghanistan - May 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - January 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - September 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - August 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - June 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137) at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho - September 2009  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137) at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho - September 2009  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) - September 2008  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - November 2007  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2007  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - March 2007  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - August 2006  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - March 2006  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - June 2005  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - July 2004  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - July 2004  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - June 2004  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - June 2004  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - November 2003  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - November 2003  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - November 2003  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - October 2003  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - December 2001  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - December 2001  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - December 2001  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - November 2001  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - 1998  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - December 1997  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS America (CV 66) - Operation Deny Flight - 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-1) embarked on USS America (CV 66) - 1992  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - off Lybia - March 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - off Lybia - March 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - off Lybia - February 1986  cutout  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1986  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-137 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ranger (CV 61) - June 1980 |
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Since their original commissioning on December 14, 1973, the Rooks
of VAQ-137 have flown three versions of the EA-6B Prowler aboard six
different aircraft carriers in every major theater. They've earned
four Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations,
six Battle "E”s, three Navy Expeditionary Medals, two Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medals, one Humanitarian Service Medal and four Safety
"S" awards. In 1988, the squadron was awarded the Prowler Excellence
Award. Twice the Rooks were selected "Prowler Squadron of the Year",
and four times they've been awarded the prestigious Admiral Arthur
W. Radford Award for highest achievement in electronic warfare among
all VAQ/VMAQ squadrons. VAQ 137 first deployed in 1974 with CVW-14 for a WESTPAC cruise aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), flying EXCAP Prowlers. In April 1975, on station in the South China Sea, Rooks operated non-stop to provide essential electronic surveillance for OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, the evacuation of Americans from Saigon . Between 1976 and 1978, the ROOKS made two Med cruises with CVW-6 aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). In April 1976, the squadron provided standoff ECM support for the evacuation of Americans from civil-war-torn Beirut , Lebanon . During the two cruises, the ROOKS obtained emitter data and the first Navy photos of the USSR 's Kiev class aircraft carrier and their newest Kara class cruiser. Between 1979 and 1982, VAQ-137 made three WESTPAC cruises with CVW-2 aboard the USS RANGER (CV 61). In January 1981, the ROOKS were on station in the North Arabian Sea when the Iranians released 52 American hostages held since November 1979. In March, USS RANGER (CV 61) received the Humanitarian Service Medal for the rescue of 138 Vietnamese "boat people" after a VAQ-137 crew sighted them. In 1983, the ROOKS joined CVW-3 for an action-packed Med cruise aboard USS KENNEDY (CV 67). In November, they participated in a coordinated French/US air strike against an Iranian training camp at Baalbek , Lebanon . In December, they participated in a strike against SAM/AAA sites east of Beirut , providing essential radar jamming. In February 1984, the ROOKS flew support missions while multi-national peacekeeping forces pulled out of Lebanon . In 1984, the ROOKS were the first EA-6B squadron to transition to ICAP II. Between 1985 and 1987, the squadron made two Med cruises with CVW 17 aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60). After the Italian cruiseliner, ACHILLE LAURO, was hijacked in October 1985, CVW-17 aircraft intercepted the hijackers' plane and forced them to land at a NATO airfield. In March 1986, VAQ-137 co-authored and participated in the successful air strike against an SA-5 site at Sirte , Libya . In 1989, the ROOKS joined CVW-1 for a Med and Indian Ocean cruise aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). During nine months at sea, VAQ-137 participated in nine major exercises in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean . They sailed from the Arctic Circle to the Equator via the Suez Canal . In August, when Lieutenant Colonel Higgens, USMC, was brutally executed in Lebanon , USS AMERICA (CV 66) emergency sortied from Singapore to be on station in the North Arabian Sea . The Rooks provided critical electronic surveillance for contingency operations. When the United States evacuated the Beirut Embassy in September, the Rooks were airborne within hours of entering the Mediterranean providing EW support to the operation. In December 1990, the Rooks deployed aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66) with five ICAP 2 Prowlers in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM. During 212 combat sorties, the Rooks provided ECM coverage and fired 30 HARM missiles in support of the United Nations Coalition Forces. VAQ-137 was the only EA-6B squadron to fight the war from both the Red Sea and the North Arabian Gulf . Following the cease-fire, the Rooks completed the Desert Storm deployment with a successful five aircraft TransMed and TransLant fly-off enroute to Whidbey Island . After only four months, VAQ-137 returned to USS AMERICA (CV 66) in August 1991, and deployed to the North Atlantic for operations in the Norwegian Fjords during NORTHSTAR '91. In December 1991, the Rooks deployed aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66) for MED 2-91. After three months of Mediterranean operations the USS AMERICA (CV 66) sortied again for the North Arabian Gulf in March 1992. The Rooks were the first EA-6B squadron who had fought in DESERT STORM to return to the area arriving on station a mere 12 months after the war. VAQ-137’s last deployment ended in February 1994. During that deployment, the Rooks participated in Operation Continue Hope over Somalia , southern watch over Iraq and Deny Flight over Bosnia . The Rooks were formally disestablished at 1330, 26 May 1994. In 1995, Program Budget Decisions 752 and 753 detailed the commissioning of 5 EA-6B squadrons to replace the USAF EF-111A Raven in fulfilling the Joint Electronic Attack role. VAQ-137 is the third of those five squadrons to be commissioned. VAQ-137 was re-established at 1300, 3 October 1996 onboard Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island , Washington . Upon reaching full operational capability, the Rooks were assigned to carrier Air Wing One and deployed aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) within one year of re-establishment. During the 1997 deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, the Rooks led the EA-6B community and Air Wing One in all operational comparisons: 91 combat missions, 275 combat hours, 618 flight hours, 230 arrested landings, and a 100% Operation Southern Watch sortie completion rate. In addition, the ROOKS operated the largest carrier based EA-6B squadron in history; eight aircraft deployed and seven flown back to NAS Whidbey Island. The Rooks assimilated 3 additional aircraft, 12 aircrew, and 10 maintenance personnel to meet the increased JCS CONOPS requirements. At the conclusion of the deployment, VAQ-137 was awarded the Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, Battle Efficiency Award for outstanding performance during 1997 and the semi-annual Safety “S” for the second half of 1997. In September of 1999, the Rooks deployed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy while attached to Carrier Battle Group SIX (CCG-6) and Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1). In addition to other exercises, the Rooks participated in the “Bright Star” exercise off the coast of Egypt . Once again the Rooks led the way protecting coalition aircraft from participating surface to air missile systems. Additionally, the Rooks were both the first and last members of CVW-1 to fly missions in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW) combat sorties. VAQ-137 deployed on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) on September 19, 2001. The Rooks were the first Prowler squadron to deploy with night vision goggles and accumulated 751 NVD hours. The Rooks spent a record 159 days at sea during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, flying three consecutive months of 400+ hours. 254 combat sorties were flown. In February of 2003 the Rooks began Pre-deployment workups. After a disjointed workup schedule they completed TSTA III and COMTUEX in September 2003 and began deployment on October 3, 2003 with Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1) onboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). In May 2006, the Rooks deployed onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as a component of Carrier Air Wing ONE and Carrier Strike Group TWO. VAQ-137 successfully conducted split site operations in AL ASAD, Iraq in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism. In July 2007, the Rooks found themselves going back to support the troops in Iraq from the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in the Persian Gulf. The Rooks successfully helped ensure the safety of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, on the ground, during the increased operation tempo of the surge. The Rooks returned from this rigorous deployment in December 2007. Two deployments, only seven months apart, with associated workups, tested every member of the squadron and their families. Although the Rooks had no operational commitments following two back to back deployments, VAQ-137 participated in seven major detachments while excelling in 15 Major inspections, 12 Fully Mission Capable aircraft transfers to deploying squadrons and temporary loans of six aircraft. VAQ-137 continued to support the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS), Electronic Attack Weapon School (EAWS), and CVWP while executing squadron training. In 2010, the Rooks finally had an Inter Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC). The squadron’s continued support of the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) helped smooth the Rooks’ transition to a deployable asset. The squadron came together and focused on an IDRC while balancing the priorities of detachments to the east coast and rigorous maintenance requirements, including TSTA, COMTUEX, and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX). For the Rooks, 2011 was monopolized by a deployment and rigorous training to deploy again the following year. In the 2011 deployment, the squadron supported combat operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and NEW DAWN (OND), as well as counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The Rooks overcame further challenges at home by transitioning from ICAP III aircraft to the older ICAP II aircraft. In short order they were ready to employ the newly accepted aircraft during Air Wing Fallon and back onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). The deployment was dominated by providing direct support for combat operations in OEF, where the Rooks amassed 165 combat sorties and 1040 combat hours. 2013 marked another momentous occasion for VAQ-137, the command transitioned from the EA-6B Prowler to the new EA-18G Growler. All hands took on the challenge of learning a new platform and were soon tested as work-ups began in early 2014 with detachments to locations such as Key West FL, Fallon NV, and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) for COMTUEX and TSTA. In March 2015, the Rooks deployed for the first time flying the EA-18G Growler, as part of CVW-1 onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Throughout the nine month deployment, the Rooks conducted combat operations in Iraq and Syria supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (OIR), executing 291 combat sorties and 1,777 hours. After returning home from deployment, the Rooks entered an array of post deployment training and maintenance phases in 2016. The squadron participated in a Red Flag Alaska detachment during April and May, working with US Air Force and Indian Air Force assets. Following a successful workup cycle, the Rooks deployed aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in April 2018. After leaving Norfolk, VA the squadron participated in Operation LIGHTNING HANDSHAKE off the coast of Morocco in order to prepare for combat operations. The carrier then traveled toward the Easter Mediterranean in support of Operation INHERENET RESOLVE. Heavy tasking led to the Rooks flying over 370 combat hours in just 22 fly days, with an impressive 100% combat sortie completion rate earning the squadron the CVW-1 Golden Wrench for the line period. After an extended port call in Norfolk, the Rooks and CVW-1 returned to sea in the second half of 2018. This time the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) traveled north to be the first carrier in over 30 years to conduct flight operations north of the Arctic Circle when they participated in Operation TRIDENT JUNCTURE. The flight deck crews persevered in frigid conditions and earned the Order of the Blue Nose as they launched jets to conduct multi-national flight operations. The Rooks finally returned to NAS Whidbey Island in December 2018. Since their original commissioning on December 14, 1973, the Rooks of VAQ-137 have flown three versions of the EA-6B Prowler onboard seven different aircraft carriers in every major theater. They've earned four Navy Unit Commendations, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, six Battle "E" awards, three Navy Expeditionary Medals, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, one Humanitarian Service Medal, and Seven Safety "S" awards. In 1988, the squadron was awarded the Prowler Excellence Award. Twice the Rooks were selected "Prowler Squadron of the Year", and five times they've been awarded the prestigious Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award for highest achievement in electronic warfare among all VAQ squadrons. source: VAQ-137 website NOTE: Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons (TACELRON) were redesignated to Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQRON) on March 30, 1998 |
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