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VAQ-131

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Electronic Attack Squadron 131
Active1 February 1946 - Present
(78 years, 8 months)
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeElectronic Attack
RoleElectronic Warfare
Part ofElectronic Attack Wing Pacific
Garrison/HQNAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)Lancers
Motto(s)Tip of the Spear
Colors #2a2e60  #fac72d 
Mascot(s)Spartan
EngagementsIran hostage crisis
Multinational Force in Lebanon
Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Quick Force
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation New Dawn
Operation Inherent Resolve
[1]
DecorationsProwler Squadron of the Year Award
[1]
Websitehttps://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-131/
Commanders
Commanding OfficerCDR. James C. Jordan
Executive OfficerCDR. Kyle D. Hanford
Command Master ChiefCMDCM. Andrew J. Jenkins
Insignia
CallsignSKYBOLT[2]
Modex55X[3]
Tail CodeNL
Aircraft flown
BomberKA/A-3B Skywarrior (1956-1968)
Electronic
warfare		EKA-3B Skywarrior (1968-1971)
EA-6B Prowler(1971-2014)
EA-18G Growler(2014-Present)
PatrolP2V Neptune (1946-1956)
[1]

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.[4] Their radio callsign is "Pilum."

History

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VAH-4 KA-3B in 1967


VP-931

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

VAH-4

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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:[5]

  • 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 On 12 April 1966 the People's Republic of China claimed to have shot down a U.S. aircraft over the Leizhou Peninsula. The aircraft was identified as being squadron KA-3B #142653 which disappeared en route from Naval Air Station Cubi Point to the Kitty Hawk with four crewmen onboard.[6]
  • 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.[7]

VAQ-131

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VAQ-131 EA-6B prepares to launch from USS Ronald Reagan in 2013
VAQ-131 EA-18G Growler launching from USS George H.W. Bush in 2017

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.[8] 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.

Home port assignments

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The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

Aircraft assignment

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "History". www.airpac.navy.mil. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Military Radio Callsign List". henney.com. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  4. ^ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Statement concerning continuation of missing in action status" (PDF). 12 April 1967. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  7. ^ "A-3 Squadron History". A-3 Skywarrior Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  8. ^ VAQ-131 official website
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See also

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