VAQ-132 begins flight operations at NAF Misawa

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Devenberg | Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Jacob Cramer, far left, originally from Livonia, Mich., and assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132, communicates with pilot Lt. Scott Chuda, a native of Charlestown, N.H., as he and Electronic Warefare Officer, Lt. Mark Calvanico, from Secaucus, N.J., prepare to launch an EA-18G Growler, March 4, 2014. The squadron is taking part in a routine deployment on board Naval Air Facility Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet operations. VAQ-132 is homeported out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor Wash. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erin Devenberg/RELEASED)  

MISAWA , AOMORI, JAPAN

03.07.2014

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Erin Devenberg 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan - Sailors from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 conducted their first flight operations at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, March 4, 2014.

The VAQ-132 “Scorpions” recently deployed to NAF Misawa for a routine deployment in support U.S. 7th Fleet operations.

"We're here to support the Commander, Task Force 70 and 7th Fleet theater objectives for the Western Pacific," said Cmdr. William McCombs, VAQ-132 commanding officer. "A big part of that mission is security cooperation in the theater as well as building partnerships with our allies, so we want to work a lot with the U.S. Air Force [Suppression of Enemy Air Defense] assets here in Misawa, and Japanese and Republic of Korea air force units in theater."

While in Misawa, the squadron will maintain and carry out operations with the EA-18G Growler, a multipurpose aircraft known for its unique electronic warfare capabilities.

"They took the EA-6B Prowler aircraft platform, with a modernized weapon suite, and installed it in the very reliable high performance airframe of the EA-18 Super-Hornet, which results in making the Growler a versatile aircraft. But I think it's the men and women of VAQ-132 Scorpion's that give it its edge in combat."

After leaving from their first deployment more than a year ago, the Sailors of VAQ-132 find a similar scene upon returning to Misawa for their second time around.

"We left in the snow and came back to the snow," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Stephanie Florez, a native of Zephyrhills, Fla. "I'm glad I got the opportunity to travel here again. I'm looking forward to the Cherry Blossom Festival, and I want to go to Tokyo since I wasn't able to the last time I was here."

VAQ-132 will continue to operate out of NAF Misawa for the next several months where they will then return to their home base of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington.

"I'm very proud of the men and women of VAQ-132," said McCombs. "Of everything they've done over the past six months to get us here and what they will be doing over the next six months as we continue to operate in theater."

For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa.

• Date Taken: 03.07.2014
• Date Posted: 03.07.2014 01:34
• Story ID: 121637
• Location: MISAWA , AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: ZEPHYRHILLS, FL, US