VAQ-129
| Electronic Attack Squadron 129 | |
|---|---|
_-_insignia.gif)
VAQ-129 insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 May 1961 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Role | Airborne Electronic Attack |
| Part of | Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island |
| Nickname(s) | Vikings |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
EA-6B Prowler EA-18G Growler EKA-3B Skywarrior |
Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) is the United States Navy's only EA-18G Growler training squadron. Known as the Vikings, they are a Fleet Replacement Squadron, or FRS, and are charged with training all EA-18G aviators and developing standard operating procedures for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft. The squadron is permanently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in Puget Sound, Washington.
Heavy Attack Squadron 10 (VAH-10) was established on 1 May 1961 and originally equipped with the A-3 Skywarrior.
During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-10 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:
VAH-10 was re-designated Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One Two Nine (TACELECWARON129) (VAQ-129) flying the EA-6B Prowlers on September 1, 1970. The change in name brought with it a change in mission. The first EA-6B standard version Prowler was delivered in January 1971. With its arrival, VAQ-129 commenced its career as the Fleet Replacement Squadron for EA-6B fleet commands.
In January 1977, the Navy introduced the first of its Improved Capability (ICAP) version Prowlers. In March 1977, VAQ-129 began training United States Marine Corps aircrew and maintenance personnel to fly and maintain the ICAP version of the aircraft, starting a long training relationship with the Marine Corps. In 1984, the first ICAP II version of the EA-6B arrived.
The Vikings introduced the AGM-88A High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) to the EA-6B in 1986 and the Lancers (VAQ-131) were the first to successfully fire the AGM-88 from the EA-6B. In 1988 they introduced the new “Block 86” version of the ICAP II Prowler. During Operation Desert Storm, an updated HARM capability was introduced, which proved tremendously successful in the subsequent combat operations.
...
Wikipedia