First Operational Growler Squadron returns safely

Photo By Clifford Davis | A EA-18G Growler assigned to Scorpions of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132, takes off Joint Base Andrews NAF Washington after completing a eight-month forward deployment in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation New Dawn. The EA-18G Growler is the fourth major variant of the F/A-18 Hornet and is built to replace the EA-6B Prowler.  

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD, UNITED STATES

07.09.2011

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Clifford Davis 

Naval Air Facility Washington

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – The “Scorpions” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 returned safely Stateside July 9 after being the first operational EA-18G Growler squadron to forward deploy.

The event marked a milestone completion to an eight-month deployment that included combat operations in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn and Operation New Dawn.

“It’s a sense of mission accomplishment and great to know that the aircraft performed so well,” said Cmdr. Jeff Craig, Commanding Officer of VAQ-132. “It’s a very reliable aircraft, very capable, but nothing happens on deployment without the support of our people.”

During their deployment, the Scorpions flew more than 700 missions and logged over 3,000 hours of flight time, all while maintaining a 100 percent sortie accomplishment rate. This was accomplished with five aircraft, ten crews and supported by 190 enlisted personnel.

“The transition to the Growler was very through and comprehensive from the mission aspect,” said Craig. “We’ve spent a lot of time on training and it prepared us quite well for the deployment.”

"It's a very exciting accomplishment for the Navy and for our nation to have the Growler in the fleet - on time, on cost, and with the performance that was expected. What we're hearing from the fleet is that the young lieutenants and lieutenant commanders who are flying the aircraft, are just as we thought, taking advantage of the capabilities of the Block 2 Super Hornet to make the jet more effective," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager (PMA-265). "We're looking forward to more feedback from the fleet in order to continue developing exciting capabilities for the aircraft."

Craig was proud of the accomplishments of his air and maintenance crews and confident in the squadron’s sustained capabilities.

“It was a true team effort; to the representatives at Boeing, our Sailors and their families,” said Craig.

The EA-18G Growler is the fourth major variant of the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the Growler is the first newly-designed electronic warfare aircraft produced in more than 35 years. The aircraft also retains all of the F/A-18E/F’s multi-mission capabilities with its validated design and the capability to perform a wide range of enemy defense suppression missions.

• Date Taken: 07.09.2011
• Date Posted: 07.15.2011 16:24
• Story ID: 73808
• Location: JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD, US