VAQ-144

Electronic Attack Squadron 144
A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024
Active1 October 2021–present
(3 years, 10 months)
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeElectronic Attack
RoleElectronic Warfare
Part of Carrier Air Wing One
Garrison/HQ NAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)Main Battery
Motto(s)"Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details"
Colors #ec6924  #be5227  #000000 
Mascot(s)Devil
EngagementsOperation Prosperity Guardian
Operation Poseidon Archer
Websitehttps://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/
Commanders
Commanding OfficerCDR Brant "Probie" Schmall
Executive OfficerCDR Richard "Lampshade" Delk
Command Master ChiefCMDCM Laura Blanco
Insignia
VAQ-144 insignia
CallsignDEVIL
Modex5XX[1]
Tail CodeAB
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		EA-18G Growler (2023–present)
[2]

Electronic Attack Squadron 144 (VAQ-144), "Main Battery", is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler.[3]

History

VAQ-144 can trace its origins to the former Grumman A-6 Intruder squadron VA-196 formerly also based at NAS Whidbey Island that was disestablished in 1997 as the last operational A-6 squadron on the west coast.[2]

VA-196 KA-6D Intruder in flight c. 1982

VAQ-144

In September 2019 the Navy transitioned a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) VAQ squadron out of the carrier environment to meet demands as an expeditionary unit. The gap in CVW Electronic Attack coverage showed a need for a 15th operational VAQ squadron. VAQ-144 was established on 1 Oct 2021 to meet this demand with a requirement to meet scheduled milestones and achieve full operational capability in fiscal year 2023. In the spring of 2023, the squadron received its first independent aircraft flown with VAQ-144 markings.[3]

In late September 2024, VAQ-144 and their EA-18Gs departed the US as part of CVW-1 on a scheduled deployment aboard the USS Harry S. Truman

Following multiple exercises with European militaries, VAQ-144 and CVW-1 were ordered to operate in the Red Sea in defense of international shipping lanes and Israel against Houthi/Iran proxy military unit attacks from Yemen. VAQ-144 and CVW-1 arrived in the CENTCOM AOR in mid December 2024 with combat operations against the Houthis/Iranians commencing upon arrival to the Red Sea.

Airstrikes were undertaken against the Houthis/Iranians for much of the later half of December 2024 through April 2025. Strikes against the Houthis/Iranian proxy military units in Yemen increased significantly following March 15, 2025, with VAQ-144 and CVW-1 conducting increased sorties on a larger set of enemy targets.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b "History". www.airpac.navy.mil.
  3. ^ a b "About US". www.airpac.navy.mil.
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