Gauntlets in Guam!

100215-N-5539C-005 GUAM (Feb. 15, 2010) Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Stacy Brown, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, conducts maintenance on an EA-6B Prowler. VAQ-136 is participating in Cope North, a two-week annual bilateral exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. VAQ-136 is homeported at Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corwin Colbert/Released)

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Hardworking Gauntlet!

091106-N-1644H-020 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 6, 2009) Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Mary Jackson, assigned to the Gauntlets of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, applies leading edge tape to the wings of an E/A-6B Prowler in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John M. Hageman/Released)

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Proud Prowler

090905-N-2757S-017 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 5, 2009) Family and guests of Sailors stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) observe an air power demonstration from the ship's flight deck. George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, hosted a family and guest cruise after returning from her inaugural summer deployment supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Stewart/Released)

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Awesome Launch Photo!

090819-N-5637H-002 MANADO BAY, Indonesia (Aug. 19, 2009) An EA-6B Prowler from The Gauntlets of Electric Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 launches in Manado Bay from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during the Indonesian International Fleet Review. The event commemorates the 64th anniversary of Indonesian independence. George Washington is the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier and is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific ocean during her inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist John M. Harrington/Released)

Click HERE for source and to download Navy.mil's high resolution image.

Go Gauntlets!

Our hardworking Gauntlets are featured in the photo gallery at Navy.mil.


090530-N-1062H-168 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 30, 2009) Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Melvin Go and Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Ritchie Abuda adjust the speed brake on an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Gauntlets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting a Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte/Released)

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Crispy: Then and Now

While searching the photo gallery at Navy.mil, I spotted a 2007 image of our beloved Crispy (see previous blog posts here and here):



070910-N-7883G-012 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 10, 2007) - An aircraft director guides the pilot of an E/A-6B Prowler assigned to the “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 to a catapult aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is more than three months into her summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (RELEASED)

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She has a new number and home these days, but ever faithful, Crispy still flies high in all of our hearts.

Here is how she looks today - poised and pretty!





Basking in the sun, May 27, 2009

Photo of the Day

Today's number one slideshow photo at the top of Navy.mil is our own Prowler 501.



090509-N-1062H-170 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 9, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Alexis Ferraiolo directs an EA-6B Prowler from the Gauntlets of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is conducting flight deck certification and carrier qualifications in the western Pacific Ocean after a Selective Restricted Availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher S. Harte/Released)

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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