VAQ-138 - War On Terror

War On Terror

The September 11, 2001 attacks found the squadron underway for work-ups aboard the USS John C. Stennis, and resulted in an accelerated work-up cycle and deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf. The squadron commenced combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on December 17, 2001 and included missions in support of Operation Anaconda. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island following seven months of deployment in June 2002.

In September 2002, the squadron began work-ups for an eight-month deployment to the Western Pacific from January though September 2003. During this time, the squadron transitioned to the Block 89A configuration of the EA-6B, and conducted the first operational deployment of the Block 89A. During the deployment, the squadron executed detachments to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa; MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan and participated in Exercise Foal Eagle in Korea.

The Yellow Jackets departed San Diego in February 2005 and sailed into Norfolk, VA, on the last day of July after flying over 300 combat sorties and amassing over 1600 combat flight hours during four months of supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets departed Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California on 18 January 2007 for the USS John C. Stennis to begin their seven-month Western pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), during which they supported the ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Yellow Jackets amassed over 650 flight hours consisting of combat missions over Afghanistan and Iraq and also contributed to vital security operations in the Persian Gulf. During their 2007 WESTPAC, the four EA-6B ICAP III Prowlers of VAQ-138 logged over 1,700 flight hours, and the Yellow Jacket Maintenance team was instrumental in helping the aircrew achieve a 96% combat sortie completion rate.

Following their 2009 cruise on board the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), the Yellow Jackets began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler, the most advanced Electronic Attack aircraft in the world today. They were certified 'Safe for Flight' in their new aircraft in August 2010.