Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.5 inch-90mm
ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON 131 (VAQ-131) “LANCERS”
Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE ONE (VAQ-131) has been through several transitions since its inception in 1946 when the squadron was commissioned as reserve Patrol Squadron NINE THREE ONE (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P-2V Neptune. In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior and was re-designated Heavy Attack Squadron FOUR (VAH-4). On November 1, 1968, the squadron received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was again re-designated, this time as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron ONE THREE ONE.
In May 1971, the LANCERS of VAQ-131 became the second operational squadron to transition to the Standard version of the Grumman EA-6B Prowler. Five years later, in early 1976, VAQ-131 transitioned to the Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the EA-6B and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea with Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) on the USS SARATOGA (CV 60). In the summer of 1978, the Lancers transitioned to the Improved Capability (ICAP) EA-6B.
VAQ-131 joined CVW-6 in November 1980 completing four deployments in five years to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. While attached to CVW-6, the LANCERS supported the following operations: American hostage crisis in Iran (1981), Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces in Lebanon (1982), Operation “Urgent Fury” in Grenada (1983) and the 4 December 1983 strike against Syrian positions in Lebanon.
Upon returning from their final deployment with CVW-6 and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62), the LANCERS earned first place in the COMMATVAQWINGPAC Battle Readiness Competition (BRC) and transitioned to the ICAP II version of the Prowler. VAQ-131 became the first squadron to fly the original four major versions (Standard, EXCAP, ICAP and ICAP II) of the EA-6B. Upon completion of this transition, the LANCERS joined their current air wing, CVW-2 aboard USS RANGER (CV 61).
In 1986, the LANCERS participated in RIMPAC and upon their return became one of the first squadrons to be trained in the handling, loading and firing of the High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). Subsequently, they were actively involved in the first fleet firing of a HARM.
After returning from a Western Pacific deployment aboard USS RANGER (CV 61) in August 1989, they began their transition to the Block-86 version of the ICAP II Prowler, again a community first. The first Block 86 aircraft was accepted on 9 December 1989 and by the end of February 1990 the transition was complete.
On 15 January 1991, as the United Nations’ deadline for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait expired, the USS RANGER (CV 61) transited the Straits of Hormuz. In the early morning hours of 17 January 1991, CVW-2 launched its first combat sorties against Iraqi strongholds in Iraq and Kuwait. The LANCERS flew 14 sorties and 27.9 hours during the first 24 hours of combat. By the time the cease fire was announced on 28 February 1991, the LANCERS had fired 24 HARM, flown 339 combat hours and completed 228 combat sorties in direct support of U.S. and allied coalition forces.
The LANCERS began their next deployment work-up cycle in August of 1991 with their participation in exercise “Fabric Falcon”. Work-ups continued with MAARP being held in Fallon, Nevada in mid-November and REFTRA occurring in mid-December. In April of 1992 VAQ-131 flew in joint service training missions in Operation “Quick Force” and then finished their pre-deployment work-ups with BGE in May.
After a short hiatus at Whidbey Island, WA, the LANCERS deployed on USS RANGER’s (CV 61) last deployment on 1 August 1992, to the northern Arabian Gulf enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq.
In early December, USS RANGER (CV 61) was ordered to the waters off of Somalia in East Africa to aid in the United Nations relief efforts as part of Operation RESTORE HOPE. The LANCERS finished their WestPac deployment by enjoying the “Last Ride” of USS RANGER (CV 61) on 31 January 1993 as it pulled pierside in San Diego. That same year was highlighted by the squadron being awarded Prowler Squadron of the Year.
On 4 May 1994, the LANCERS deployed aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) for two months to conduct operations alongside the Canadians, Japanese, Australians, and the South Koreans in joint multi-national exercises.
In November 1994 the LANCERS deployed to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf on board USS CONSTELLATION, spending the next three months enforcing the United Nations’ sanctions over the skies of southern Iraq.
In 1997 the LANCERS once again departed on a WestPac cruise aboard USS CONSTELLATION. From the Persian Gulf, the LANCERS provided electronic support for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and participated in INSPIRED UNION with the Pakistan Air Force.
During 2000, the LANCERS trained both at home in Whidbey Island and at NAS Fallon, Nevada while in the “Prepare to Deploy” status. In 2001 the LANCERS embarked on the USS CONSTELLATION for WESTPAC ’01 to conduct Operation SOUTHERN WATCH flights, with a combat mission completion rate of 100%.
WESTPAC ’02-’03 began on November 3rd as the USS CONSTELLATION pulled out of San Diego on what is considered to be the ship’s final deployment. The LANCERS stopped in Hong Kong and Singapore before finally arriving in the North Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. For the next several months, the LANCERS flew numerous sorties in support of OIF and had a combat mission completion rate of 97%. On April 17th, the LANCERS departed the Arabian Gulf, marking the end of their involvement in OIF. WESTPAC ’02-03 ended on May 31st and the USS CONSTELLATION began its decommissioning process.
During 2004, the LANCERS continued training while in the “Prepare to Deploy” status. They began WESTPAC ’04-’05 in October onboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). On December 26th a devastating tsunami rocked Southeast Asia. The USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN pulled out of Hong Kong immediately and proceeded south to aid in the tremendous relief effort.
The LANCERS opened 2005 off the coast of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, providing crucial tsunami relief. They were on scene for more than 30 days providing Humanitarian Aid-Disaster Relief (HA/DR) to the people of Indonesia as part of Operation Unified Assistance aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72).
During WESTPAC 2006 the LANCERS provided electronic support for exercises FOAL EAGLE, VALIANT SHIELD and RIMPAC. In October of 2008, the LANCERS returned from their seven-month deployment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN supporting Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM supporting our troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The LANCERS finished out 2009 by completing Mission Employment (ME) Phase in November. They were at it again when they began a condensed work-up cycle in January 2010 by jumping head first into Sustainment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). Following Sustainment, the Command spent the end of February and the beginning of March on a two-week detachment to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada for Electronic Warfare Advanced Readiness Program (EWARP). The better part of April and May was again spent aboard the LINCOLN for Tailored Ships Training Assessment (TSTA) in preparation for their upcoming deployment.
In May of 2010, the LANCERS held a Change of Command ceremony as Commander Thomas Huerter assumed Command from Commander Leif Steinbaugh. The LANCERS completed their time on the boat and returned to NAS Whidbey Island. Shortly after, they left again to continue their work-up cycle in Nevada with Air Wing Fallon in the month of June. Three weeks later the squadron boarded the LINCOLN for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). They returned from COMPTUEX in mid-August for one month at home before deployment.
After months of preparation, the LANCERS departed aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) for a seven-month deployment in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN. Over the course of this deployment, the LANCERS completed 365 sorties totaling 1185 flight hours, including 143 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. On March 19, 2011, the LANCERS once again returned to NAS Whidbey Island.
The LANCERS were able to enjoy a Pacific Northwest summer before they began the work-up cycle for their next deployment. In August of 2011, the LANCERS observed as their outgoing Skipper, Commander Thomas Huerter passed the reigns to Commander Stephen Flaherty. Commander Richard Knapp assumed the role of Executive Officer of the LANCERS.
The week following the Change of Command, the LANCERS left for Air Wing Fallon, to undergo three weeks of training exercises. They returned from Nevada in late August and by mid-September they left again for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. They completed COMPTUEX and returned home in October of 2012.
In December of 2011, the LANCERS left Whidbey Island for a five-month deployment with Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW 2) aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The deployment was an “around the world” deployment for the LINCOLN, which would undergo a four-year major overhaul at the completion of the deployment. The LINCOLN was extended twice, making it an eight-month deployment. Over the course of the deployment, the LANCERS flew more than 500 sorties for a total of 1,805 flight hours, including 226 combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The LANCERS also visited Thailand, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey along the way. In August of 2012, the LANCERS finally returned to Whidbey Island.
On December 13th, 2012, the LANCERS held a Change of Command in a ceremony aboard NAS Whidbey Island. Outgoing Skipper Commander Stephen Flaherty passed the torch to the LANCERS’ current Skipper, Commander Richard Knapp. Commander David Fields stepped in as the LANCERS’ new Executive Officer.
The LANCERS are currently training for their next deployment, scheduled for January of 2014. After their final deployment as an EA-6B Squadron, they will begin transitioning to the EA-18G in early 2015.
The LANCERS pride themselves on being “the tip of the spear” since 1946 and look forward to many more successful years of providing electronic attack support to U.S. and allied forces wherever and whenever they are called upon.