VAQ-131
| Electronic Attack Squadron 131 | |
|---|---|
|
VAQ-131 insignia | |
| Active | 1946 |
| Country |
 United States of America |
| Branch |
 United States Navy |
| Role | Airborne Electronic Attack |
| Part of | Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island |
| Nickname(s) |
Fourunners Lancers |
| Motto | ADEPTO RECIDISSE GALEAM |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander W. Pressley |
Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers", is a United States Navy airborne electronic attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, the Lancers are currently undergoing transition to the EA-18G Growler. Following transition, the Lancers will join Carrier Air Wing 8 to deploy aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).[1] Their radio callsign is "Skybolt".
History
_131_prepares_to_launch_from_the_flight_deck_of_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Ronald_Reagan_(CVN_76)_Nov._6%2C_2013%2C_while_underway_in_131106-N-UK306-015.jpg)
VP-931
VAQ-131 was originally commissioned 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]
- 1 August 1963 – 10 March 1964, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany for a Western Pacific deployment
- 28 January-21 November 1964, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
- 21 October 1964 – 29 May 1965, Detachment L A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
- 10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment 62 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Independence
- 28 September 1965 – 13 May 1966, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
- 19 October 1965 – 13 June 1966, Detachment C A-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
- 26 October 1965 – 21 June 1966, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
- 29 May-16 November 1966, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
- 15 October 1966 – 29 May 1967, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
- 5 November 1966 – 19 June 1967, Detachment C KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
- 5 January-22 July 1967, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
- 26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
- 16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment G/34 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
- 18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
- 28 December 1967 – 17 August 1968, Detachment 14 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
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, the Lancers became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the Standard version of the EA-6B Prowler. The Lancers 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, the Lancers began their transition to the Boeing EA-18G Growler.
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports:
Aircraft Assignment
References
- ↑ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "A-3 Squadron History". A-3 Skywarrior Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ VAQ-131 official website
External links
See also
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