VAQ-130 Returns From Deployment

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Marc Cuenca | 200807-N-HC646-0058 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (Aug. 7, 2020) EA-18G Growler aircraft assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 fly over Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Aug. 7. VAQ-130 returned from deployment aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) after seven months operating in the 5th and 6th Fleets’ area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca/Released)  

OAK HARBOR, WA, UNITED STATES

08.09.2020

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130) returned home to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island from deployment aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Aug. 9.

During the deployment, VAQ-130 and the rest of Carrier Strike Group Ten (CSG 10) conducted operations in both the 5th and 6th Fleets' area of responsibility. While carrier deployments to the Mediterranean and North Arabian seas are not rare, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) presented a unique setting that resulted in a new endurance record.

Prior to this deployment, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held the record for most consecutive days at sea (160) following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The Eisenhower Strike Group sailed passed that record, setting a new mark with 206 consecutive days.

“VAQ-130 left NAS Whidbey Island in January for the strike group’s Composite Training Unit Exercise,” said Cmdr. Jack Curtis, VAQ-130’s commanding officer. “Usually after that training event we have a few weeks for much needed pre-deployment leave and final preparations, but this time we did not pull back in. As the pandemic grew it became apparent that we likely would not see land again until getting home.”

As the Navy tracked the progress of COVID-19, leadership became concerned with how the pandemic would affect ships and Sailors out at sea. In order to minimize the chance of spreading infection and to ensure the strike group’s mission readiness, it did not take part in any port calls during deployment.

“When we realized there would be no port calls we found ways to keep up morale and manufacture small victories,” said Cmdr. Benjamin Cooper, VAQ-130’s executive officer.

Sailor driven associations like the Junior Enlisted Association, First Class Petty Officers Association, and the Chiefs’ Mess routinely held events like movie nights, ice cream socials, and physical fitness competitions. They also found ways to pass the days by marking calendar milestones along the way.

“The squadron had a big party on our 130th consecutive day at sea,” said Cooper. “We played games, enjoyed cake and ice cream and took the opportunity to thank our teammates for their hard work.” Cooper added, “Small breaks here and there show compassion and grace for our shipmates during these challenging times.”

Curtis pointed out that port calls hold more significance than the obvious opportunity for rest.

“If you have a port visit every five or six weeks it makes it easier to break the long time away into smaller chunks,” said Curtis. “If I know I just need to get through the next few weeks before getting some down time, it is easier to stay engaged and motivated.”

When asked about how it felt to come back to home to NAS Whidbey Island, Cooper said this was more emotional than any of his previous deployments.

“Without port calls there was not a chance to connect to the Internet to video chat home,” said Cooper. “Some Sailors had not seen their children in a long time and it was very surreal in a profound way to not see them grow in real time. This was a whole different situation to see how much your kids have changed since you have been gone. It’s a scenario no one has dealt with in a while.”

As the carrier strike group neared the end of deployment, the aviators of VAQ-130 flew ahead of the squadron’s main body and arrived on Ault Field Aug. 7. The main body arrived by Navy Air Logistics Office flights Aug. 9 where Curtis and Cooper greeted the rest of the squadron in the evening. The celebration was different from usual homecomings on NAS Whidbey Island. Coming home from deployment is typically an open event that invites families to wait for their Sailors within the hangar with entertainment and food. In keeping with safety considerations, the homecoming participants were advised to practice physical distancing and limit gatherings to small groups outside the NAS Whidbey Island Air Terminal.

“I’m incredibly proud of how hard they worked during these difficult circumstances,” said Curtis. “I am proud of the time and effort they spent looking out for one another. As difficult as this deployment was, it’s hard to find anything other than satisfaction in the fact that we successfully executed the missions we were assigned, and most importantly, we brought all of our aircraft and teammates home safely.”

VAQ-130’s primary mission is serving as the single airborne electronic attack platform for Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3). The Zappers, with the rest of CVW-3, are now enjoying some hard-earned post-deployment leave, but will soon begin preparing for their next deployment.

• Date Taken: 08.09.2020
• Date Posted: 08.14.2020 15:55
• Story ID: 375922
• Location: OAK HARBOR, WA, US