VAQ-209

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Electronic Attack Squadron 209


caption= VAQ-209 Insignia
dates= October 1, 1977 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type=
role= Airborne Electronic Attack
size=
command_structure= Tactical Support Wing
current_commander= Commander Jeffrey Zimmerman
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Star Warriors
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
decorations=
battle_honours=
aircraft_attack= EA-6B Prowler
anniversaries=

Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAW-209) is a United States Navy Reserve electronic attack squadron. Known as the "Star Warriors", the squadron operates the Grumman EA-6B "Prowler" carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. Based at Naval Air Facility Washington D.C. (USA), it is assigned to the Tactical Support Wing.

Mission Statement

"To safely train to attain and maintain mobilization readiness for immediate employment in event of war or national emergency."

History

VAQ-209 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 1 October 1977. It was part of the U.S. Navy "Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (RCVW-20)". Originally the squadron was equipped with the Grumman EA-6A "Electronic Intruder". VAQ-209 relocated to Naval Air Facility Washington, on Andrews Air Force Base in May 1990 and began transition to the EA-6B Prowler. The event marked not only the significant upgrading of RCVW-20's electronic attack capability, but also the first assignment of the U.S. Navy's EA-6B aircraft to be home ported outside of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. In 1995, the "Star Warriors" were mobilized for combat operations over Bosnia and participated in both Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force. A four-plane detachment was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight from 22 March to 22 September 1995.

In 1998, VAQ-209 Deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey with 3 EA-6B aircraft to conduct combat operations in direct support of Operation Northern Watch. The squadron maintained 100% mission coverage and a 96% sortie completion rate. VAQ-209 was the first "Prowler" squadron to deploy with only 3 aircraft and not miss a single ONW mission, the first Navy Reserve Squadron to deploy to Incirlik in support of ONW, and the first EA-6B squadron to carry HARM into the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR). Additionally it was the first EA-6B squadron to develop specific Prowler HARM and jamming tactics for ONW operations and ROE, and the first EA-6B squadron to be overall Mission Commander for entire ONW strike packages.In 1999 the squadron received a 96 hour to prepare to deploy order for Operation ALLIED FORCE (OAF). VAQ-209 deployed in accordance with JCS directive on April 16, 1999 with two aircraft, arriving in Aviano AB, Italy on April 17 via Lajes, Azores. VAQ-209 provided sole maintenance support for VAQ-209, 138, and 140 EA-6B translant aircraft, accompanying the aircraft to Lajes and remaining there until April 20 to support follow-on movement of NAS Whidbey Island Prowlers. VAQ-209 entered combat operations on April 17, 1999 and continued until hostilities ended on June 21, 1999. The Star Warriors redeployed on 25 June 1999 through RAF Mildenhall, NAS Keflevic (RON), Sonder Stromfjord (Greenland), Goose Bay CFB, and NAS Brunswick (RON), arriving in NAF Washington on June 27, 1999. The squadron completed 150 combat sorties and over 550 combat flight hours with a 98% sortie completion rate and no injuries.

In March 2000, the squadron deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey, with 4 aircraft to again support Operation Northern Watch. While in Turkey, VAQ-209 aircrew flew 75 combat sorties and over 250 mishap free flight hours returning to NAF Washington in early May 2000. During the year 2000, VAQ-209 continued its excellent safety record, achieving 23 years and 24,000 hours or mishap free flying.

In the spring of 2001 the squadron deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdon of Saudi Arabia (PSAB) in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW). This was the first deployment of a reserve EA-6B squadron to the Area of Operations. VAQ-209 completed the 45-day deployment to PSAB, during which they flew 59 combat sorties and 191 flight hours, with a 100% sortie completion rate.

External Links

* [http://navyreserve.navy.mil/Public/Staff/Centers/Forces+Command/Centers/Commander+Tactical+Support+Wing/Centers/VAQ-209/WelcomeAboard/default.htm VAQ-209 Official Website]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vaq-209.htm VAQ-209 at Globalsecurity.org]