VAQ-131

Electronic Attack Squadron 131

VAQ-131 insignia
Active 1946
Country United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Role SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses)
Part of Carrier Air Wing 8
Garrison/HQ Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Nickname(s) Fourunners (VAH-4)
Lancers (VAQ 131)
Motto(s) ADEPTO RECIDISSE GALEAM
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander W.G. Pressley, USN

Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers," is a United States Navy tactical jet aircraft squadron specializing in kinetic and non-kinetic Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). They are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler and are part of Carrier Air Wing 8, deploying aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.[1] Their radio callsign is "Skybolt."

History

VAH-4 A-3B drops a Mk.83 bomb over Vietnam in 1965
VAH-4 KA-3B in 1967
VAQ-131 EA-6B prepares to launch from USS Ronald Reagan in 2013
A Lancer pilot looks over his wingman
Lancer jets refueling on deck

VP-931

VAQ-131 was originally established as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune.

VAH-4

In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior and was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4).

During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-4 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:[2]

In addition to the carrier deployments, in 1966 a detachment of KA-3Bs was also sent to operate from NAS Cubi Point and Da Nang Air Base.[3]

VAQ-131

In November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, they became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the Standard version of the EA-6B Prowler. The squadron transitioned to the Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the Prowler in 1976, to the Improved Capablility (ICAP) Prowler in 1978, and to the ICAP II Prowler in 1984.[4] In May 2014, they transitioned to the Boeing EA-18G Growler, which they currently operate. The EA-18G expanded the squadron's capabilities to enable more effective prosecution of radar and Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) sites in an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), both through air-to-ground weapon employment and precision electronic attack, the latter being the Growler's niche capability. The EA-18G is also a capable air-to-air combat platform.

Aircraft 500, the Lancer CAG bird, in flight over the Cascades
Aircraft 504 in flight


Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

Aircraft Assignment

References

  1. ↑ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
  2. ↑ "Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "A-3 Squadron History". A-3 Skywarrior Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  4. ↑ VAQ-131 official website

See also


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