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US Navy - Electronic Attack Squadron 209
(VAQRON 209) (former Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 209 / TACELRON 209) VAQ-209 'Star Warriors' |
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| 12/23 | ||||||
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 EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Naval Base Ventura County/Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California - September 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Naval Base Ventura County/Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California - September 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Naval Base Ventura County/Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California - September 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Air Dominance Training Center, Savannah, Georgia - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Air Dominance Training Center, Savannah, Georgia - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) operating out of Air Dominance Training Center, Savannah, Georgia - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AGM-88 HARM missile - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AGM-88 HARM missile - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AGM-88 HARM missile - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AGM-88 HARM missile - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AGM-88 HARM missile - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - 2023  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing AGM-88 HARM missiles over Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC), Guam - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC), Guam - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC), Guam - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC), Guam - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Misawa Air Base, Japan - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Misawa Air Base, Japan - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Misawa Air Base, Japan - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) over Misawa Air Base, Japan - August 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 22-1 - May 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 22-1 - May 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 22-1 at Eielson AFB, Alaska - May 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 22-1 at Eielson AFB, Alaska - May 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - January 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - January 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - January 2022  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Northern Lightning at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin - August 2021  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Mississippi - April 2021  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Mississippi - April 2021  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Mississippi - April 2021  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) at Misawa Air Base, Japan - May 2020  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile - August 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - February 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - February 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - February 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) - February 2018  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2017  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska - May 2016  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska - May 2016  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 15-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska - August 2015  EA-18G Growler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 15-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska - August 2015  Cmdr. James King, front seat, the commanding officer of VAQ-209, and Cmdr. Leana Thomas perform preflight checks in an EA-18G Growler aircraft during the squadron's first mission after being certified safe for flight operations in the Growler aircraft - NAS Whidbey Island, Washington - June 2014  Two EA-6B Prowlers (VAQ-209 Star Warriors) take-off for their final flight at Naval Air Facility Washington D.C (Joint Base Andrews). - May 17, 2013 VAQ-209 is transitioning from the EA-6B Prowler aircraft to the EF-18G Growler - located at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland - May 2013  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Souda Bay, Crete, Greece - November 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Souda Bay, Crete, Greece - November 2011  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) - April 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) during exercise RED FLAG 10-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - March 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) during exercise RED FLAG 10-3 at Nellis AFB, Nevada - March 2010  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) during exercise Red Flag Alaska 08-2 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska - April 2008  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Nellis AFB, Nevada - December 2007  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Nellis AFB, Nevada - December 2007  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) over Iraq - June 2006  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) during exercise RED FLAG ALASKA 07-3 - July 2003  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base during a 9/11 commemoration - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Air Base during a 9/11 commemoration - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey - September 2002  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Incirlik Airbase, Turkey - September 2002  EA-6B Prowlers (VAQ-209, top / VAQ-141) during Operation Deny Flight - September 1995  EA-6B Prowlers (VAQ-209, top / VAQ-141) during Operation Deny Flight - Aviano Air Base, Italy - September 1995  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - September 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - September 1993  EA-6B Prowlers (VAQ-209) over Washington, D.C. - September 1993  EA-6B Prowlers (VAQ-209) over Washington, D.C. - September 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) over Washington, D.C. - September 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - January 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - January 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - January 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - January 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - January 1993  EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-209) at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Andrews, Maryland - November 1992  EA-6A Electric Intruder (VAQ-209) aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - September 1985 |
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History: VAQ-209 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, on 1 October 1977. Part of the U.S. Navy Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20), the squadron flew the EA-6A Intruder. VAQ-209 moved to Naval Air Facility Washington in May 1990 and began shifting to the EA-6B Prowler. This improved CVWR-20's electronic attack capability, and also marked the first homeporting of U.S. Navy EA-6Bs outside Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. In 1995, the squadron was deployed for combat operations over Bosnia and participated in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force. A two-plane detachment was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight from 22 March to 22 September 1995. In 1998, VAQ-209 deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, with three EA-6B aircraft to conduct combat operations in Operation Northern Watch. The squadron maintained 100% mission coverage and a 96% sortie completion rate. VAQ-209 was the first Navy Reserve Squadron to deploy to Incirlik in support of ONW, and the first EA-6B squadron to carry the AGM-88 HARM into the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR). It was also the first EA-6B squadron to develop specific Prowler HARM and jamming tactics for ONW operations and ROE, and the first EA-6B squadron to be overall Mission Commander for entire ONW strike packages. In 1999 the squadron received a 96-hour alert to prepare to deploy order for Operation Allied Force (OAF). VAQ-209 deployed with two aircraft, traveling via Lajes Field, Azores, to Aviano Air Base, Italy, on April 17. VAQ-209 provided sole maintenance support for VAQ-209, VAQ-138 and VAQ-140 EA-6B translant aircraft, accompanying the aircraft to Lajes and remaining there until April 20 to support follow-on movement of NAS Whidbey Island Prowlers. VAQ-209 entered combat operations on April 17, 1999, and continued until hostilities ended on June 21, 1999. The squadron redeployed on 25 June 1999 through RAF Mildenhall, NAS Keflavik, Sondrestrom Air Base (Greenland), CFB Goose Bay, and NAS Brunswick, arriving in NAF Washington on June 27, 1999. The squadron completed 150 combat sorties and over 550 combat flight hours with a 98% sortie completion rate and no injuries. In March 2000, the squadron deployed again to Incirlik, with four aircraft to again support Operation Northern Watch. While in Turkey, VAQ-209 aircrew flew 75 combat sorties and over 250 mishap-free flight hours returning to NAF Washington in early May 2000. During 2000, VAQ-209 achieved 23 years and 24,000 hours of mishap-free flying. In early 2001, the squadron deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PSAB), for Operation Southern Watch (OSW). This was the first deployment of a reserve EA-6B squadron to that area of operations. VAQ-209 completed the 45-day deployment to PSAB, during which they flew 59 combat sorties and 191 flight hours, with a 100% sortie completion rate. In August 2002, VAQ-209 deployed for the third time to Incirlik for Operation Northern Watch. This time VAQ-209 flew 88 combat sorties and over 300 flight hours before returning home in October. The squadron went on to set a calendar-year flight record of 1,539.4 flight hours. The squadron deployed to the PACOM theater from April to June 2005. Soon after their return from Japan, the squadron was sent again to the Iraq War. In June 2006, VAQ-209 deployed to Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq. There the squadron continued its exemplary record, flying over 300 combat sorties for a combined total of more than 1,500 flight hours. Less than two years later, VAQ-209 returned to combat, this time over Afghanistan. The squadron deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom from January to March 2008 and from March to May 2009. Operating out of Bagram Air Base, the squadron executed over 2,000 combat hours of flight time supporting US and ISAF forces on the ground. For their exemplary combat performance, the squadron was recognized as the CNAFR squadron of the year. VAQ-209 returned to Joint Base Andrews, Washington on 4 November 2011 following an 85-day deployment in Afghanistan. During deployment, the squadron flew 193 combat sorties with a mission completion rate of 100 percent, delivering 769 hours of electronic combat suppression against the enemy while the VAQ-209 maintenance department accomplished a combat sortie completion rate of 99.51 percent. The squadron also handled more than 226 joint tactical air support requests (JTASR). In May 2013, VAQ-209 flight crews took their final flight in the venerable EA-6B Prowler and began to shift their homeport to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, the Navy's home for electronic attack. Along the way, the Star Warriors moved people and equipment across the country, sent nearly 100 sailors to both coasts on temporary training assignments, and put their aircrew and maintenance personnel through a year-long transition syllabus to learn to fly and maintain the new aircraft. VAQ-209 completed numerous detachments, gaining valuable and required training at Andrews AFB, NAS Oceana, NAS Point Mugu, NAS JRB New Orleans, NAS Key West, NAS Fallon, Eielson AFB, MCAS Miramar, and Nellis AFB. In June 2014, VAQ-209 officially stood up as an EA-18G Growler squadron, gaining its "Safe-For-Flight" certification, accepting aircraft, and beginning flight operations. In January 2016, after a year-and-a-half of training and inspections, the Star Warriors made their first operational Growler deployment. VAQ-209 filled the Pacific Command requirement, allowing an active squadron to return home as scheduled. The deployment began in Guam, where the squadron participated in an AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) live-fire exercise with U.S. Air Force units, honed their airborne electronic attack skills, and participated in Exercise Cope North, a combined exercise designed to increase interoperability among U.S. and coalition air forces operating in the Pacific Theater. In February, the squadron left the beaches of Guam for the snow of Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. While in Misawa, the Star Warriors integrated with the U.S. Air Force's 35th Fighter Wing and the Navy's Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 to further the joint collaboration that began on Guam. In March, the squadron detached to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (ROK), to participate in a maritime counter special operations forces exercise with Air Force and Navy units from the ROK, along with the U.S. Air Force and Navy units. In addition to gaining exposure to real-world flying conditions on the Korean peninsula, VAQ-209 was able to plan and integrate with USS John C. Stennis (CVN) 74 Carrier Strike Group and its embarked CVW-9, which were on patrol in the Western Pacific. The squadron returned home safely to their families and most Selective Reservists to their civilian careers in early April. source: wikipedia   |
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