VAQ-209
| Electronic Attack Squadron 209 | |
|---|---|
VAQ-209 Insignia
|
|
| Active | October 1, 1977 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy Reserve |
| Role | Airborne Electronic Attack |
| Part of | Tactical Support Wing |
| Nickname(s) | Star Warriors |
| Motto(s) | Fortuna Fortes Juvat |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Mascot(s) | Darth Vader |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander M. Lockard |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
EA-6B Prowler EA-18G Growler |
Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) is a United States Navy Reserve electronic attack squadron. Known as the "Star Warriors", the squadron flies the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. Based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, it is assigned to the Tactical Support Wing.
"To safely train to attain and maintain mobilization readiness for immediate employment in event of war or national emergency."
VAQ-209 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, on 1 October 1977. It was part of the U.S. Navy Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20). Originally the squadron was equipped with the EA-6A EW Intruder.
VAQ-209 moved to Naval Air Facility Washington in May 1990 and began transitioning to the EA-6B Prowler. This improved CVWR-20's electronic attack capability, and also marked the first homeporting of U.S. Navy EA-6Bs outside Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. In 1995, the squadron was deployed for combat operations over Bosnia and participated in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force. A two-plane detachment was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight from 22 March to 22 September 1995.
In 1998, VAQ-209 deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey with three EA-6B aircraft to conduct combat operations in Operation Northern Watch. The squadron maintained 100% mission coverage and a 96% sortie completion rate. VAQ-209 was the first Navy Reserve Squadron to deploy to Incirlik in support of ONW, and the first EA-6B squadron to carry the AGM-88 HARM into the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR). It was also the first EA-6B squadron to develop specific Prowler HARM and jamming tactics for ONW operations and ROE, and the first EA-6B squadron to be overall Mission Commander for entire ONW strike packages.
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