VAQ-137

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Electronic Attack Squadron 129


caption= VAQ-137 insignia
dates= December 14,1973 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type=
role= Airborne Electronic Attack
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing One
current_commander= Commander James Lins
garrison= Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Rooks
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
decorations=
battle_honours=
aircraft_attack=EA-6B Prowler
aircraft_bomber=
anniversaries=

VAQ-137, also known as Electronic Attack Warfare Squadron 137, is a U.S. Navy carrier-based squadron currently flying Improved Capability (ICAP) III EA-6B "Prowlers." VAQ-137 is based out of NAS Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington, and is attached to Carrier Air Wing One. The squadron's radio callsign is "Rook", and thier tailcode is "AB".

quadron History

The "Rooks" were commissioned on 14 December 1973. They first deployed in 1974 aboard USS Enterprise. In 1975, they provided support for Operation Frequent Wind, the American evacuation of Saigon. In 1976, the "Rooks" provided Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) support during the evacuation of Beirut. In 1976-1978, they made two cruises aboard USS America (CV-66). In March 1981, a "Rook" aircrew sighted a group of 138 Vietnamese "boat people", which were in turn rescued by USS Ranger (CV-61). This action earned the ship a Humanitarian Service Medal. In 1983, the "Rooks" participated in air strikes in Lebanon. The Rooks were also the first EA-6 squadron to upgrade to the ICAP II. In 1989, the "Rooks" flew support for operations in the Mediterranean from "USS America". These operations included support in the evacuation of the US's Beirut Embassy and a trip to the Arctic Circle. "Rooks" aboard "America" flew support missions during Operation Desert Storm. These included Supression (SEAD) of Iraqi Air Defense radar and Surface to Air Missile (SAM) sites. The "Rooks also participated in Operation Continue Hope in Somalia, and Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia. The "Rooks" were disestablished in 1994, but were re-established in 1996. The "Rooks" set a record by spending 159 days at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. VAQ-137 was the second EA-6B squadron to transition to the ICAP III version of the "Prowler".On May 2, 2006 The "Rooks" deployed aboard "USS Enterprise" to the Mediterranean and Middle East.

External links

* [http://www.naswi.navy.mil/vaq-137/index.htm Homepage]