Tenant Commands

Commander, Electronic
Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific
Fleet (COMVAQWINGPAC)
(360) 257-1303
COMVAQWINGPAC and staff provide combat-ready electronic attack squadrons to support the Commander, Naval Air Forces and combatant commander tasking worldwide. They also provide electronic warfare tactical and technical development leadership and expertise. As Type Wing Commander of all Navy EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler fleet squadrons and Operational Commander of three expeditionary squadrons, the Commander and staff are engaged in a wide variety of activities ranging from maintenance, material and operational readiness support to everyday administrative functions.

The Wing Commander also works closely with NAS Whidbey Island and Outlying Landing Field, Coupeville within the Naval Region Northwest area.

Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ)
NAS Whidbey Island is home to the majority of the Navy's VAQ squadrons flying the Northrop-Grumman EA-6B Prowler and the Boeing EA-18G Growler, both are considered all-weather, electronic attack aircraft with the primary role of suppressing enemy electronic capabilities through tactical jamming and the delivery of High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles. There are 12 operational Navy electronic attack squadrons at Whidbey and one squadron, VAQ-136, permanently forward deployed to the Western Pacific on board USS George Washington (CVN 73), home ported in Japan. Each squadron typically has four aircraft assigned and averages 28 officers and 160 enlisted personnel.

VAQ squadrons deploy in support of both East And West Coast air wings and aircraft carriers as well as to various land-based joint facilities. Squadrons and their nicknames are: VAQ-130 Zappers
VAQ-131 Lancers
VAQ-132 Scorpions
VAQ-133Wizards
VAQ-134 Garudas
VAQ-135 Black Ravens
VAQ-136 Gauntlets
VAQ-137 Rooks
VAQ-138Yellow Jackets
VAQ-139 Cougars
VAQ-140 Patriots
VAQ-141 Shadowhawks
VAQ-142 GrayWolves
Fleet squadrons are supported by the Vikings of VAQ-129, the Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for the training of EA-6B and EA-18G pilots and electronic countermeasures officers. U.S. Air Force personnel are also assigned to Navy Expeditionary Squadrons VAQ-132, VAQ-133 and VAQ-142. Although they are not assigned to carrier air wings, they deploy in support of joint forces from overseas land bases.

VAQ-129 operates up to 14 EA-6B and EA-18G aircraft and has approximately 65 staff officers, 350 staff enlisted personnel and 100 student officers.
read more...