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VAQ-131 LANCERS COMMAND HISTORY
(FULL VERSION)
Electronic Attack
Squadron ONE THREE ONE (VAQ-131) has been through numerous transitions
since it’s beginning in 1946 when the squadron was commissioned as reserve
Patrol Squadron NINE THREE ONE (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955,
VP-931 flew the P-2V Neptune. In 1956, the squadron transitioned to
the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior and was re-designated Heavy Attack Squadron FOUR
(VAH-4). In November 1968, the squadron received the EKA-3 version of
the Skywarrior and was re-designated as Tactical Electronic Warfare
Squadron ONE THREE ONE.
In May 1971, the Lancers of VAQ-131 became the second
operational squadron to transition to the Standard version of the Grumman
EA-6B Prowler. Deploying to Southeast Asia on the USS ENTERPRISE
(CVN-65) from October 1971 to April 1973, the Lancers were awarded the
COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency "E" for their outstanding
performance.
In June 1974, the Lancers deployed to the Western Pacific
making their first peacetime cruise in eight years. In early 1976,
VAQ-131 transitioned to the Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the
EA-6B and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea with Carrier Air Wing THREE
(CVW-3) on the USS SARATOGA (CV-60). As a result of their superior
performance during 1976, they received the Association of Old Crows'
"Outstanding Unit Award" as the most outstanding electronic
warfare unit in the United States Navy.
From October 1977 until 1980, VAQ-131 deployed with CVW-11 in
USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and USS AMERICA
(CV-66). In the summer of 1978, the Lancers transitioned to the
Improved Capability (ICAP) EA-6B.
In 1980, the Lancers received the CNO Safety Award, Golden
Prowler Award, Golden Wrench Award, Battle "E" and their second
Association of Old Crows' "Outstanding Unit Award".
VAQ-131 joined CVW-6 in November 1980 completing four
deployments in five years to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.
While attached to CVW-6, the Lancers supported the following operations:
American hostage crisis in Iran (1981), Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces
in Lebanon (1982), Operation "Urgent Fury" in Grenada (1983), and
the 4 December 1983 strike against Syrian positions in Lebanon.
During this busy three year period the Lancers received the following
awards: three Navy Expeditionary Medals, COMMATVAQWINGPAC Golden
Prowler and Golden Wrench awards, and the first annual Admiral Arthur W.
Radford Award for excellence in electronic combat.
During the summer of 1984, the Lancers, while completing the
shortest turnaround in EA-6B history, achieved second place in the EA-6B
Battle Readiness Competition (BRC) and received their third
"Outstanding Unit Award" from the Association of Old Crows.
Upon returning from their last deployment with CVW-6 and USS
INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), the Lancers earned first place in the
COMMATVAQWINGPAC Battle Readiness Competition (BRC) and transitioned to the
ICAP II version of the Prowler. VAQ-131 became the first squadron to
fly all four major versions (Standard, EXCAP, ICAP and ICAP II) of the
EA-6B. Upon completion of this transition, the Lancers joined their
current air wing, CVW-2 aboard USS RANGER (CV-61).
The Lancers participated in RIMPAC 1986 and upon return became
one of the first squadrons to be trained in the handling, loading and
firing of the High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). Subsequently,
they were actively involved in the first fleet firing of a HARM.
On 23 February 1989, the Lancers deployed to the Western
Pacific in USS RANGER (CV-61). After their return on 23 August 1989,
they began their transition to the Block-86 version of the ICAP II Prowler,
again a community first. The first Block 86 aircraft was accepted on
9 December 1989 and by the end of February 1990, the transition was
complete. Deployment work-ups began on 31 January 1990 with the
squadron attending MAARP at NAS Fallon, Nevada. Another detachment to
Fallon in March had the Lancers primed for their 4 April REFTRA aboard USS
RANGER (CV-61). The Advanced Tactical Assessment (ATA) and finally
the Battle Group Exercise (BGE) followed REFTRA in November 1990.
With deployment preparations complete, the Lancers left San
Diego on 8 December 1990 enroute to the Arabian Gulf. Contingency and
mirror image strikes were conducted on 27 and 28 December in preparation
for the possibility of hostilities in the Arabian Gulf. In late
December, USS RANGER (CV-61) pulled into Subic Bay, Republic of the
Philippines for its only port call during the transit. For their
outstanding performance during 1990 the Lancers were awarded the
COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency award.
USS RANGER (CV-61) transited the Straits of Hormuz on 15
January 1991 as the United Nations' deadline for Iraqi withdrawal from
Kuwait expired. In the early morning hours of 17 January 1991, CVW-2
launched its first combat sorties against Iraqi strongholds in Iraq and
Kuwait. The Lancers flew 14 sorties and 27.9 hours during the first
24 hours of combat. By the time the cease fire was announced on 28
February 1991, the Lancers had fired 24 HARM, flown 339 combat hours and
completed 228 combat sorties in direct support of U.S. and allied coalition
forces.
USS RANGER (CV-61) remained with the peacekeeping force in the
Gulf following the cease-fire. In mid-April, after being relieved on
station by the Yellow jackets of VAQ-138 embarked in USS NIMITZ (CVN-68),
USS RANGER (CV-61) and the Lancers began their transit home. Enroute,
USS RANGER (CV-61) made port calls to Pattaya Beach, Thailand, Hong Kong,
Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The
historic cruise ended on 8 June 1991 as USS RANGER (CV-61) returned to San
Diego, California. Following their return, the Lancers commenced a short
stand-down period.
The Lancers began their next deployment work-up cycle in
August of 1991 with their participation in exercise "Fabric
Falcon". Work-ups continued with MAARP being held in Fallon,
Nevada in mid-November and REFTRA occurring in mid-December. In 1991
the Lancers earned both the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency Award and
Grumman "Maintenance Squadron of the Year". The Lancers
joined the rest of CVW-2 in the middle of January 1992 for the air wing
Fallon detachment and then completed ITA/ATA in mid-February. In
April of 1992 VAQ-131 flew in joint service training missions in Operation
"Quick Force" and then finished their pre-deployment work-ups
with BGE in May.
After a short hiatus at Whidbey Island, WA, the Lancers
deployed on USS RANGER's (CV-61) last deployment on 1 August 1992.
USS RANGER (CV-61) made port calls to Yokosuka, Japan and Pusan, South
Korea in August before being called to the northern Arabian Gulf in
mid-September to enforce the United Nations sanctions against Iraq.
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH lasted until early December with brief port calls
to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. During Operation
SOUTHERN WATCH the Lancers flew 154 missions compiling a total of 847.2
combat hours and 460 carrier landings onboard the USS RANGER (CV-61).
In early December USS RANGER (CV-61) was ordered to the waters
off Somalia in East Africa to aid in the United Nations relief efforts as
part of Operation RESTORE HOPE. USS RANGER (CV-61) turned over duties
to USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) in mid-December and the Lancers closed out the
year with a port call to Perth, Australia. The Lancers finished their
West Pac deployment with port calls to Sydney, Australia and
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in January 1993 and ended the "Last Ride" of
USS RANGER (CV-61) on 31 January 1993 as it pulled pier side in San
Diego.
Following their successful final cruise on USS RANGER (CV-61),
VAQ-131 began a year where they participated in numerous Joint and Combined
exercises with other service branches and CVW-2 squadrons. The
Lancers were awarded the CNO Aviation Safety Award for 1992 in April.
The year was highlighted when the Lancers were awarded the Prowler Squadron
of the Year for 1993 in August at the Prowler Ball. The year ended
with the Lancers beginning workups for the 1994 deployment onboard USS
CONSTELLATION (CV-64).
Beginning preparations for the upcoming November deployment,
the Lancers started off the New Year participating in a TACEX at NAS
Fallon. The Lancers placed first in this exercise and as a direct
result were presented the 1994 Battle Readiness Competition award.
On 4 May 1994 the Lancers deployed aboard USS CONSTELLATION
(CV-64) for two months of ITA/COMPTUEX/RIMPAC. The Lancers conducted
operations alongside the Canadians, Japanese, Australians, and the South
Koreans in joint multi-national exercises. USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62)
also made the long trip from Japan to participate. The Lancers made
two port calls in Hawaii prior to returning home on 30 June.
Squadron aircrew completed training in the use of the USQ-113
communication jamming equipment in early August. At the annual
Prowler Ball on August 19th, the squadron was presented with the Battle
Readiness Competition award for their TACEX success of February.
Three days later, the Lancers returned to USS Constellation for FLEETEX
A/B/C, the final stages of work-ups. The exercise was highlighted on
September 1st by the flawless execution of a live HARM shot which destroyed
the target barge. The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island on 22
September.
On 9 November 1994, the Lancers deployed to the Western
Pacific and Arabian Gulf on board USS CONSTELLATION for a six-month
deployment. The first big test for the Lancers was BEACHCREST
1994. During this exercise the Lancers provided jamming support for
the F/A-18's of CVW-2 as they flew missions over Okinawa, Japan against the
U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps.
On 2 January 1995, USS CONSTELLATION departed Singapore
sailing west toward the North Arabian Sea where the Lancers spent the next
three months helping enforce the United Nations' sanctions over the skies
of southern Iraq. A week later USS CONSTELLATION transited the
Straits of Hormuz, sending an early Air Wing detachment to Sheik Isa,
Bahrain. Shortly thereafter the Lancer Prowlers began flying
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH flights.
Leaving the North Arabian Sea on 23 March, USS CONSTELLATION
headed home stopping in Perth and Sidney, Australia and Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii. The 1994/95 Western Pacific deployment ended when on the 9th
of May the Lancer jets returned to Whidbey Island.
The Lancers departed Whidbey on 1 August to participate in
SEAFAIR '95 on board USS KITTY HAWK. Flight operations were conducted
while the ship was at anchor in the Puget Sound while distinguished
visitors and civilians watched from the flight deck and vultures row.
During August, the Lancers sent most of the squadron to Nellis Air Force
Base, Nevada for participation in a two-week exercise, Coalition
Flag.
October was spent preparing the squadron for a two-month
detachment to Aviano, Italy. The Lancer jets departed Whidbey on
November 4th, destination Aviano Air Base, Italy. Arriving three days
later the squadron set up shop and immediately began flying Operation DENY
FLIGHT/DECISIVE EDGE combat sorties. Flying over the skies of
Bosnia-Herzegovina the Lancers were a critical asset for the Suppression of
Enemy Air Defenses. No United Nations' sponsored flights were allowed
in country unless there was a Prowler airborne.
The main body of the squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island,
WA just days before Christmas. Due to tanker problems, the jets were
delayed, but returned home in time for New Years.
The Lancers started out 1996 with a two-week detachment to the
USS CONSTELLATION on 13 February, where the squadron took part in the
“Orange Air” exercises. In March, the squadron was very busy, sending
out detachments to Klamath Falls, NAS Miramar, Dallas, and NAS Oceana for a
variety of different exercises.
In April, the Lancers were involved with a multinational
exercise at Holloman AFB as well as the start of the Advanced Readiness
Program, which involved a week of classroom study and evaluation
flights. The squadron’s excellent career and retention programs were
recognized on 25 April, when the command was awarded the Golden Anchor
Award.
In May, the Lancers supported the Strike Fighter Attack
Advanced Readiness Program (SFAARP) by sending a single Prowler to NAS
Lemoore. Two jets also flew to NAS Miramar to support operations
against the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63).
On 7 June, the squadron left for two weeks in the desert as
part of Roving Sands ‘96. Operating out of Roswell Industrial Air
Center as part of the Airwing TWO team, the Lancers were extremely
successful in strikes against a force consisting of both air and ground
assets from a number of countries and services.
TSTA I started for the Lancers on 9 July, when the squadron
flew down for a two-week stay onboard the USS CONSTELLATION. Most of
the squadron flew home at the end of the two weeks, but a small detachment
stayed onboard as the USS CONSTELLATION sailed up the West Coast, arriving
in Seattle, WA on 30 July. When the boat pulled out it was full of
the friends and family of the crew, who toured the ship and watched the flight
operations as it participated in SeaFair ‘96.
In August, the ship traveled up to Victoria, B.C., where it
spent two days anchored while the crew enjoyed some liberty time.
When the USS CONSTELLATION pulled back out on August 7th, the
last remaining Prowler made the short flight back to NAS Whidbey
Island. The squadron had only a two-week break before heading off to
Fallon, NV on 24 August for three weeks of intensive training with the rest
of Airwing TWO. The squadron returned home on 15 September for
another short break before returning to sea on 6 October. On 11
October, the ship pulled into San Francisco for two days of participation
in Fleet Week ‘96. On 19 October, the ship was back down in San Diego
for another Family Day Cruise. High tempo operations continued for
the next month, with the only break being a four-day port call in San
Diego. A very successful exercise was completed on 20 November when
the squadron returned home to NAS Whidbey Island.
In 1997, the Lancers participated in FLEETEX in January and JTFEX in
February. Between the two exercises, the squadron flew training
missions out of NAS Miramar. In March the squadron participated in a
highly successful HARM shoot at NAS Pt Mugu. On 1 April, the Lancers
departed on West Pac ’97 aboard USS CONSTELLATION. The ship made port
calls in Sydney and Perth, Australia before entering the Persian Gulf in
May. The Lancers provided electronic support for Operation SOUTHERN
WATCH until August; stopping three times for port calls in Dubai,
UAE. After transiting the Strait of Hormuz again, the Lancers
participated in INSPIRED UNION with the Pakistan Air Force. The
carrier stopped in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sasebo, Japan before reaching
Naval Station Everett on the 25 September. Tiger Cruise commenced
from Everett to San Diego, with the ship pulling in on 1 October. In
November, the Lancers participated in AMALGRAM WARRIOR with the U.S. Air
Force and did testing at NAWC China Lake with VX-9.
During 1998, the Lancers again performed testing with VX-9 twice, in
January and again in September. In March they successfully completed
the first ever-short notice CWTPI. They spent the first half of the
year gearing up for their deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB),
Saudi Arabia. This involved a detachment to Cold Lake, Canada for
MAPLE FLAG in May, and an Operational Readiness Assessment of the squadron
in June (the first Navy fleet squadron ever to have one.) From 21
June until 12 August the Lancers were the first Navy fleet squadron to
deploy to PSAB, performing Operation SOUTHERN WATCH mission with the U.S.
Air Force.
Returning to the desert, the Lancers finished up 1998 with TSTA II/III
aboard USS CONSTELLATION, beginning their work-up cycle for West Pac
99’.
In 1999 the Lancers continued preparations for their upcoming deployment,
but in early June they received JCS tasking to deploy to MCAS Iwakuni,
Japan. After the TRANSPAC, the Lancers remained in Japan supporting
the Korean theater and rejoined USS CONSTELLATION in early July.
While on WESTPAC, the ship made port calls in Pusan, Yokosuka, Singapore,
and Kuala Lumpur prior to entering the North Arabian Gulf in late
August. After ten weeks of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH operations with
stops in Dubai and Bahrain, the USS CONSTELLATION left the North Arabian
Sea and headed for Australia. Port calls in Perth and Sydney
highlighted the return home, and USS CONSTELLATION arrived in Hawaii to
pick up “Tigers” just prior to completing WESTPAC. During the
deployment, the Lancers were recognized for earning the TOP HOOK award for
WESTPAC’99.
During 2000, the Lancers continued training while in the “Prepare to
Deploy” status. In February the Lancers were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC
Battle “E” and in April the CNO’s Safety “S” for 1999. The summer
months included a successful HARM launch at Point Mugu, CA, Global Patriot
2000, and a detachment to Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida.
In October, the Lancers headed back out to sea to complete TSTA II/III and
COMPTUEX in early November. On November 26th, the Lancers
headed to NAS Fallon to join the other squadrons of Carrier Air Wing
TWO. In the next three weeks, the Lancers demonstrated unsurpassed
tactical knowledge in planning and execution. The Air Wing Fallon
exercise was touted as one of the most successful by a Prowler squadron in
history.
2001 began with
the Lancers heading back out to sea completing a successful HARM shot during
JTFEX and FLEETEX. After a short break, the Lancers completed Carrier
Qualification aboard USS CARL VINSON and began WESTPAC’01 as the USS
CONSTELLATION pulled-out of San Diego. On March 28th, USS
CONSTELLATION crossed the equator and the international dateline making
everyone aboard a “Golden Shellback.” The Lancers continued towards
Australia and spent four days in majestic Sydney and three in beautiful
Perth. The USS CONSTELLATION continued west and headed towards the
North Arabian Gulf and arrived on 30 April. From the beginning of May
until the end of July, the Lancers conducted Operation SOUTHERN WATCH
flights with a combat mission completion rate of 100%. The three
summer months in the North Arabian Gulf included four short visits to Jebel
Ali.
Due to a request from the National Command Authority, the CONSTELLATION
remained in the North Arabian Gulf and continued flying missions in support
of Operation Southern Watch. Finally on August 6th, the
USS CONSTELLATION headed home. On the way back to San Diego, the
Lancers stopped in Singapore and Hong Kong for some much-deserved
liberty. After picking up the carrier’s “Tigers” in Hawaii, WESTPAC
’01 ended on the 15th of September 2001. After a month to
spend time with their families, the Lancers headed to Nellis AFB, Nevada,
for RED FLAG exercise. The Lancers returned on 10 November, in a “Prepare
to Deploy” status.
2002 began with the Lancers preparing to return to the USS Constellation to
CQ. FCLP’s began in January and at the end of the month the Lancers
headed down to San Diego for a week of carrier qualification on the USS
Constellation. In March, the Lancers began to train with night vision
devices. April saw the Lancers fly to Eglin AFB where they participated
in the Joint Combat Identification Evaluation Team (JCIET). Late in
May, the Lancers commenced an abbreviated IDTC period when they arrived at
NAS Fallon to participate in SFARP. In early June, the Lancers
participated in a very successful HARM shoot at NAS Pt. Mugu. On June
20th, the Lancers headed back out to sea for a combined TSTA II
and III/COMPTUEX. This 5-week evolution was a valuable training
experience for the squadron’s new aircrew. On August 16th,
the Lancers joined the rest of CVW-2 for Air Wing Fallon. After the 3-week
Fallon exercise, the Lancers returned to NAS Whidbey Island for final
preparations for deployment. On October 16th, the Lancers
departed for the USS Constellation to commence JTFEX. After the
conclusion of this evolution, the Lancers pulled into San Diego for a 4-day
inport period. The Lancers began WESTPAC ’02-’03 on November 3rd
as the USS Constellation pulled out of San Diego on what is considered to
be the ship’s final deployment. The Lancers stopped in Hong Kong and
Singapore before finally arriving in the North Arabian Gulf on December 17th.
The Lancers would close 2002 while in support of Operation Southern
Watch.
The Lancers began 2003 underway at sea aboard the USS
Constellation in support of Operation Southern Watch. After two port
visits to Bahrain, the air wing shifted to night operations.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) officially commenced on March 21st.
For the next month, the Lancers flew numerous sorties in support of OIF and
had a combat mission completion rate of 97%. On April 17th,
the Lancers departed the Arabian Gulf, marking the end of their involvement
in OIF. As they made their way homeward, the Lancers enjoyed visits
to Perth, Australia and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. WESTPAC ‘02/03 ended on
May 31st and the USS Constellation began its decommissioning
process. In early August, the Lancers were awarded the COMVAQWINGPAG
Safety “S” and named the Prowler Squadron of the Year for Tactical
Excellence. Later that month, the Lancers traveled to Pt. Mugu to
participate in a successful HARM shoot. In September, the squadron
headed to Fargo, ND to work with fighter jets from the North Dakota Air
National Guard. Soon after, the Lancers flew aboard USS Stennis for a
carrier qualification (CQ) detachment. The Lancers traveled to Nellis
AFB in both November and December to participate in a Large Force Tactics
exercise. The Lancers closed 2003 training for a January 2004 CQ
period.
During 2004, the Lancers continued training while in the
“Prepare to Deploy” status. In March the Lancers executed a week long
Detachment to NAF El Centro for some integrated CAS training with
VFA-2. The Lancers sent one jet to China Lake in April to aid in ICAP
III testing. During May the Lancers were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle
“E” for 2003. The Lancers closed June with a week
long ARP Detachment to NAS Fallon with the rest of Carrier Air Wing
TWO. July saw the Lancers participating in some extensive JDAM
testing in the Fallon range, producing some great data for the fleet.
In August, the Lancers headed back out to sea to complete TSTA II, during
which they learned, they would be participating in the first ever,
Emergency Surge deployment. The Lancers wrapped up TSTA in mid
September and began preparations for deployment in October, 7 months ahead
of schedule. The Lancers began WESTPAC ’04-’05 on October 19th as the
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN pulled out of San Diego. The Lancers stopped in
Hawaii and pulled into Hong Kong on Christmas Eve. On December 26th
a devastating Tsunami rocked Southeast Asia. The USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN
pulled out of Hong Kong on December 28th and proceeded south to
aid in the tremendous relief effort. The Lancers closed 2004 en-route
to Indonesia eager to provide help to this devastating region.
The Lancers opened 2005 of the coast of
Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The Lancers were integral in the Tsunami
relief effort and were on scene for more than 30 day providing Humanitarian
Aid-Disaster Relief (HA/DR) to the people of Indonesia as part of Operation
Unified Assistance aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). The Lancers
closed Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE in early February and headed back to
the friendly confines of Whidbey Island via Singapore and Hawaii. The
Lancer jets arrived back at NAS Whidbey Island on February 28th
with the airlift arriving on March 1st.
In June of 2005, the Lancers started their
first of four Strike Group Sustainment Training periods aboard USS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN with subsequent follow-on detachments in August, October and January
2006. Lancers were able to complete JTFEX training in early October
2005 with Air Force and German assets in Mountain Home, Idaho. With
the culmination and peak performance achieved during these detachments, the
Lancers departed for the 7th Fleet Area of Operations for
WESTPAC ’06 aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. The ship made port calls in
Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Hawaii. During WESTPAC ’06
the Lancers provided electronic support for exercises FOAL EAGLE, VALIANT
SHIELD and RIMPAC. The Lancers returned to Hawaii once more to bring
aboard Tigers for the return trip home to San Diego on 4 August.
After Change of Command on August 10, 2006
the LANCERS began normal operations until they left on December 4th,
2006 for Nellis AFB, NV. The exercise was to support the Air Force
Weapons School Mission Employment phase and to support the Electronic
Attack Wing Weapons School Prowler Tactics Instructor program. The
detachment lasted for 11 days and the squadron returned on the 13th
of December and began holiday leave routine for the remainder of the
year. The command was awarded the Blue Medical “M” for 2006 as
well as the 2006 CNO Retention Excellence award.
2006 also presented the Lancers with multiple opportunities to
assist the Navy and her fellow services. The Lancers provided 5 IAs
during the latter part of the year, 3 to VAQ-140 and 2 to JCCS-1. In
June 2006, the Lancers along with 3 other Navy and USAF squadrons
participated in a HARM shoot in the Guam OPAREA. Furthermore, Lancer
expertise was demonstrated assisting the Army with their new EWO class in
Ft Huachuca. Lancer support there was integral to the improvement of
the Army’s program, and as a result the protection of our brothers in arms
on the ground. Yet again the Lancers showed their skill by
maintaining 6 EA-6Bs for an Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) ME
Phase allowing for the qualification of 8 Prowler Tactics Instructors
(PTIs). Closing out this banner year for the Lancers was the receipt
of numerous awards. These awards included the 2006 CVWP Sea Sailor of
the Year, QAR & Safety Petty Officer Prowler of the Year, Navy EAWS
Pennant, the Blue Medical “M”, the 2006 CPF Retention Excellence Award, and
lastly both the Battle “E” as well as the Arthur W. Radford Award.
The Lancers continued to provide support for the various
aspects of the fleet to begin 2007. In April 2007, the Lancers sent 3
jets and 4 aircrew to Mountain Home AFB to assist in an EAWS BFMC
detachment gaining valuable training for her own aircrew as well as the
PTIs who participated. VAQ-131 also provided 2 Prowlers and 8 aircrew
for a large force exercise (LFE) with 2 B-52s down at Nellis AFB,
demonstrating once again the need for jammer support in all aspects of weapons
employment.
In late July of 2007, the Lancers left once again to complete TSTA aboard
the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN in preparation of their upcoming deployment in
2008. Upon completion of TSTA, the Lancers continued their work-up cycle in
Nevada with Airwing Fallon in September 2007 and COMTUEX aboard CVN 72 in
October 2007. During the midst of their training, the Lancers were
awarded the Adm. Arthur W. Radford award for 2007, as well as the 2007
Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific Maintenance Squadron of the Year
Award. The Lancers finished of the year with a change of command on
November 27, 2007 followed immediately by holiday stand down and further
preparations for the upcoming deployment in March 2008.
In October of 2008, the LANCERS returned from their 7 month
deployment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN supporting Operations Iraqi and
Enduring Freedom in the 5th and 7th Fleet Area of
Operations. The LANCERS did something unique in this deployment in
that they supported our troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The
LANCERS also enjoyed some liberty along the way when they stopped in
Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, and Hawaii. The LANCERS took Tigers
onboard from Hawaii to San Diego during the transit home. After the
homecoming celebrations, the LANCERS enjoyed some POM leave and were busy
preparing for the MCI inspections.
In January 2009 the LANCERS completed a 2 week Sustainment Exercise
detachment onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN where they also held Change of
Command on the 2nd of February 2009.
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