VAQ-136

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Electronic Attack Squadron 136


caption=
dates= April 6, 1973
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= US Navy
type= Attack
role= Electronic Warfare
size=
command_structure=
garrison= Naval Air Facility Atsugi
equipment= EA-6B Prowler
current_commander= Commander Joel Jungemann
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_2=
nickname= "The Gauntlets"
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Desert Storm
Operation Southern Watch
anniversaries=
decorations= Battle Efficiency "E", 1989
Safety “S” Award, 1989
Battle Efficiency "E", 1992
Adm. Arthur W. Radford Award
AOC Outstanding Navy Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Battle Efficiency "E", 1995
Safety “S” Award, 1995
Safety “S” Award, 1998
Battle Efficiency "E", 1998
battle_honours=

Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) also known as "The Gauntlets" is a United States Navy electronic attack squadron forward-deployed to Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.

The "Gauntlets" fly the EA-6B Prowler and are attached to Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW 5), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions. The squadron is currently deployed aboard USS "George Washington"(CVN-73).

History

1970s

Since establishment in 1973, VAQ-136 has been associated with several Carrier Air Wings. The "Gauntlets’" first two deployments were with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). In 1977 the "Gauntlets" joined CVW-7 aboard the USS "Independence" for a cruise to the Mediterranean, after which the squadron changed to the " Improved Capability" (ICAP) version of the EA-6B. After the transition to their new aircraft, the "Gauntlets" sailed to the Mediterranean again, this time with CVW-5 on USS "Saratoga".

1980s

In 1980 the "Gauntlets" flew across the Pacific Ocean to their new home in NAF Atsugi, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five and USS "Midway", based in Yokosuka. The 1980s were highlighted by numerous Gauntlet achievements, such as an 8300 mile cross-deck deployment to USS "America" in support of Indian Ocean operations in 1983, and a record-setting 111 day Indian Ocean at sea period in 1984. In 1986, the squadron transitioned to ICAP II aircraft and deployed to support the Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. The "Gauntlets" were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency "E", and the Safety “S” in 1989.

1990s

On April 16, 1990, as part of the Cope Thunder exercise, the "Gauntlets" successfully fired a live High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) at a U.S. Air Force target radar off the coast of the Philippines. It was the first HARM fired in WESTPAC and the missile completely destroyed its target.

On January 16, 1991 the "Gauntlets" flew strikes against Iraq in support of Operation Desert Storm. During the 43-day war, the "Gauntlets" fired 28 HARMs against Iraqi air defenses, ensuring that CVW-5 did not lose any aircraft to enemy fire.

On August 22, 1991, the "Gauntlets" cross-decked with CVW-5 to the United States’ new forward deployed carrier, USS Independence (CV-62 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In the early 1992, the "Gauntlets" deployed with "Independence" in support of Operation Southern Watch. The "Gauntlets" received the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency "E" award for 1992.

In addition, the "Gauntlets" received the Radford Award for being the best EA-6B squadron in the Navy, the Association of Old Crows Outstanding Unit Award, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. In 1993 the "Gauntlets" sailed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. That summer saw the "Gauntlets" supporting U.S. policy during intense North Korean Contingency Operations. VAQ-136 was named the “Prowler Squadron of the Year for Tactical Excellence” for 1994.

The "Gauntlets" began 1995 with operations in the Yellow Sea before proceeding south to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold off the coast of Thailand. They then moved to the Middle East yet again participating in Operation Southern Watch. The "Gauntlets" were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency "E", and Safety “S” for 1995.

In 1996 VAQ-136 operated in the Yellow Sea, near the Philippines, and around Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression. Early in 1997 "Independence", with the "Gauntlets" aboard, commenced a four month cruise, transiting to Guam, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and then Hong Kong, the last U.S. carrier to port there before its reversion to Chinese control.

In January 1998 the "Gauntlets" once more sailed on an emergency, no-notice deployment to the Persian Gulf. Just fifteen days after receiving the order, the "Gauntlets" went from holiday routine to fully carrier qualified and underway in support of Operation Southern Watch. The "Gauntlets" returned home for a brief respite before getting underway again in July, this time to Hawaii to cross-deck onto their new home, USS "Kitty Hawk". The "Gauntlets" received the Safety “S” for the first half of calendar year 98.

In January 1999, VAQ-136 was awarded the 1998 COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency "E". This significant award is given to the most combat-ready squadron in the Electronic Attack Community. On March 2, 1999, VAQ-136 and the "Kitty Hawk" Battle group departed Yokosuka, Japan for three months of routine operations and exercises in the Western Pacific. The "Gauntlets" participated in the multi-national and multi-service exercise Tandem Thrust off the island of Guam before "Kitty Hawk" was ordered to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. Over the following eleven weeks, the "Gauntlets" flew 115 combat sorties over the skies of Iraq. When "Kitty Hawk" pulled into Dubai, UAE, for several days of liberty, the "Gauntlets" were tasked to provide uninterrupted Electronic Warfare support for coalition aircraft flying from Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Saudi Arabia.

2000s

See also

*Naval aviation
*United States Naval Aviator
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft

References

cite web
title = Global Security.org: Electronic Attack Squadron 136
url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vaq-136.htm
accessdate = 2006-10-31

cite web
title = Official Website: Electronic Attack Squadron 136
url= https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/VAQ136/html%20docs/
accessdate = 2006-10-31

External links

* [https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/vaq136/ VAQ-136 Official Website]
* [http://www.vaq136.com/ Electronic Attack Squadron 136 Unofficial Homepage]