VAQ-142

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Electronic Attack Squadron 142


caption= VAQ-142 insignia
dates= June 1,1988 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type=
role= Airborne Electronic Attack
size=
command_structure= Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC)
current_commander= Commander Richard Meadows
garrison= Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Gray Wolves
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
decorations=
battle_honours=
aircraft_attack=EA-6B Prowler
aircraft_bomber=
anniversaries=

Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142), also known as "The Gray Wolves", is an EA-6B Prowler squadron of the United States Navy. They specialize in electronic attack and are currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington.

History

Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 142 was established June 1, 1988 in response to the Navy’s requirement for a thirteenth operational EA-6B squadron. Then known as the “Grim Watchdogs”, they made their first and only deployment with Carrier Air Wing 6 onboard USS|Forrestal|CV-59 to the Mediterranean Sea in 1989-90. In less than three years as a squadron, VAQ-142 aviators flew aboard USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70, USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72, USS|Forrestal|CV-59, USS|Independence|CV-62, USS|Saratoga|CV-60 and USS|Midway|CV-41. The squadron logged more than 3600 flight hours and 860 traps before standing down in March 1991.

After the “Grim Watchdogs” disestablished, the squadron’s billets were transferred to the VAQ-35 pre-establishment detachment. On June 1, 1991 the VAQ-35 “Grey Wolves” established with a new mission; Electronic Warfare Support under the cognizance of Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG). In their short history, VAQ-35 made over forty-two detachments to more than sixteen locations as far away as Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Hawaiian Islands. In October 1993, due to further reductions in defense spending, VAQ-35 was disestablished, and their mission was absorbed by reserve squadrons based in the east and west coasts.

In 1994, the Department of Defense made a decision to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven Fleet with additional EA-6B squadrons in order to meet the electronic attack needs of both services. On April 3, 1997, a new VAQ-142, the fourth of five new EA-6B squadrons was established. The squadron made numerous detachments including Cope Thunder and Red Flag, achieving deployable readiness levels only five months after establishment. In November 1997, the squadron assumed a JCS directed 96-hour deployment alert for Korean Theater contingencies. However, the deployment order was rescinded in late January 1998. During 1998 VAQ-142 deployed three times to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Fox. The squadron received the 1998 Battle “E” and Safety “S” awards, marking a very successful year.

In 1999 the Wolves made two deployments to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey to support Operation Northern Watch and the “no-fly zone” in Northern Iraq. During their second deployment VAQ-142 was chosen to be the first squadron to deploy into combat with the Block 89A aircraft, the Navy’s newest generation of the Prowler. During this second deployment in support of Operation Northern Watch, the Gray Wolves successfully launched the first combat HARM launches from the new Block 89A Prowler. In 2001 the “Gray Wolves” deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia and later from 2002 to 2003 to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In December 2003 the Gray Wolves received a short notice deployment order to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Seven workdays later, 2003 came to a close with four fully mission-capable EA-6Bs conducting a trans-Atlantic flight enroute to Bagram Air Base, where squadron maintenance personnel were already in-place awaiting their arrival. The Gray Wolves were the first complete Navy squadron to deploy to Afghanistan. During this highly successful deployment, VAQ-142 directly supported multiple operations resulting in the capture of several key terrorist operatives.

In October 2004, VAQ-142 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. After a trans-Pacific crossing, with five EA-6B's, flight operations were resumed within 48 hours with the Pack standing by, ready to hunt. The squadron finished its deployment in Spring of 2005 and was relieved by VAQ-209. While at Iwakuni, VAQ-142 also participated in Foal Eagle. In April, the squadron returned home to NAS Whidbey Island.

The Gray Wolves began their next inter-deployment training cycle in June by traveling to Eielson AFB, Arkansas, for Cope Thunder, a large force exercise providing joint training for aviators from the U.S. , Great Britain , and Japan. In July, the Wolves sent two aircraft down to Nevada to conduct pod testing at the Nellis Range Complex. Following that exercise, the Gray Wolves took part in a live fire HARM shoot out of NAWC Point Mugu, CA. At the end of August, the Gray Wolves traveled back to Nellis AFB, NV, to take part in Red Flag. Just a week after returning home in September, the Gray Wolves returned to Nellis AFB to take part in Air Warrior and F-22 testing. In December VAQ-142 took part in Terminal Fury testing support out of NAWS China Lake, CA. The Gray Wolves then went back to Nellis AFB to be a part of Mission Employment Phase. Upon their return home, the Gray Wolves were able to enjoy some time off for the holidays.

The Gray Wolves started out 2006 in true Gray Wolf fashion by hitting the deck running and not looking back. The Wolves began in January working with SEAL Team 8 giving the squadron tactical experience for the upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. In March, a detachment was sent to NAWS China Lake for JATO testing to develop tactics and techniques for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Gray Wolves continued their training during Red Flag Alaska at Elmendorf AFB in April. At Red Flag, the Wolves participated in Large Force Exercises with the U.S. Air Force and other allies. In June, they headed down to Nellis AFB to support a Mission Employment Phase. The Gray Wolves left in mid-July for the arduous deployment to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan and started missions within 16 hours of arriving in country. After flying missions for 187 days, the Gray Wolves headed home in late January 2007. For the Gray Wolves exceptional performance in 2006 they were awarded the 2006 Battle 'E' as well as the 2006 CNO Aviation Safety Award.

Beginning in May, the Gray Wolves began training up again for their next deployment and headed down to Nellis AFB and NAWS China Lake for Large Force Exercise training and ARP training including BFM/C and SAM -D. In late May, a detachment went down to NAWC Pt Mugu, CA and took part in a live fire HARM shoot over the coastal waters. In June, the Wolves went down to El Centro, CA, for pod testing and tactics training to help prepare for the upcoming deployment to Iraq. The Gray Wolves will continue to train up for deployment by heading down to Nellis AFB in August for Red Flag.

Mission

"To project decisive, sustainable and rapidly deployable Electronic Attack capability --- anytime, anywhere, on demand."

External links

* [http://vaq-142.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ Official Website]