VAQ-132 Becomes First Operational Growler Squadron Safe for Flight

Story Number: NNS091008-19
Release Date: 10/8/2009 4:14:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The "Scorpions" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 held a flyover and a ceremony marking them as the first operational EA-18G Growler squadron to be designated
"Safe for Flight" on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Oct. 2.

The event marked the culmination of a seven-month training phase for VAQ-132 under the tutelage of VAQ-129, the fleet replacement squadron, as they transitioned from the EA-6B Prowler to the Growler.

Excerpt. Read more at Navy.mil.

From Prowler to Growler

The May edition of All Hands magazine (available via Navy.mil) features Whidbey Island's VAQ-129 and VAQ-132. The Growler cover story details the squadrons' transition from Prowler to Growler, comparing and contrasting the two platforms, highlighting the improvements in Electronic Attack Warfare over the venerable Prowler.

"The Prowler is a high-value asset, and it has to be protected in the battle space, so a lot of time we have what we call a high-value asset combat air patrol (CAP) attached to us," said Capt. Brad Russell, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "With the advent of the Growler, and with our own ability to be in the link and shoot forward-firing ordnance – specifically AMRAAM – and our ability to act in a self-protect role as a fighter, the carrier strike group commander will at least have the option of not assigning a high-value asset CAP to that Growler. [It's a] more efficient use [of] strike fighter assets depending upon the threat environment."

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