Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134) is anelectromagnetic warfaresquadron of theUnited States Navy. It is nicknamed "Garudas" and is based atNaval Air Station Whidbey Island,Washington. The squadron is currently equipped with theBoeing EA-18G Growler.
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ-134) was originally established on 9 June 1969 atNaval Air Station Alameda,California, flying theEKA-3B electronic warfare/tanker and KA-3B tanker Skywarriors. VAQ-134 transitioned to Detachment 134 of VAQ-135 for its 1970-71 WestPac deployment aboard theUSS Ranger, and stood down in July 1971, moving to its current homeport, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
In 1972, the squadron received theEA-6B Prowler and became the U.S. Navy's third operational Prowler squadron.[6]
In September 1977, the squadron received the newer Improved Capability (ICAP I) version of the EA-6B Prowler.[citation needed]
2 years later, in 1979, the squadron moved to theCVW-8 in the Atlantic on board theUSS Nimitz for a deployment.[7] It was during this deployment that the squadron took part in thefailed rescue attempt of American hostages in Iran.[8] Late that year, the squadron celebrated 10 years of flying mishap free.[7]
VAQ-134 moved back to the Pacific deploying aboard theUSS Constellation as part ofCVW-9 in theIndian Ocean in 1982. This included taking part in exercises withUSS Midway and USSRanger.
Starting from September 1982, VAQ-134 would joinCarrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) for 13 years.[7] On 1 March 1983, the air wing and VAQ-134 deployed for the first cruise of the new Nimitz class carrierUSS Carl Vinson around the world which lasted until 29 October.[9] CVW-15 and VAQ-134 later make six more deployments on theCarl Vinson which included taking part inRIMPAC 84' and 86'[7] as well as PACEX 89', the largest fleet exercise since World War II.
Before PACEX 89' the squadron transitioned to ICAP II Prowler in early 1989 which allowed them to fire theAGM-88 HARM missile. Later during PACEX 89' they would become the first carrier-deployed Prowler squadron to fire one.[7]
After 1990, the squadron and CVW-15 moved to the olderUSS Kitty Hawk between 1991 and 1994, they made three deployments. In 1991, the squadron won the "Top Hook" award for best landing grades during the cruiseKitty Hawk made when moving from Norfolk on the Atlantic side to San Diego on the Pacific side, dubbed the "Around the Horn" cruise.[7]
In 1993, during operations as part ofOperation Southern Watch, the squadron fired the AGM-88 HARM in combat for the first time. The last deployment with CVW-15 in June to December 1994 includedpassing through the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan and Western Pacific as well as the KEEN EDGE, ANNUAL EX and TANDEM THRUST exercises. On 17 December, the squadron celebrated yet another milestone passing 34,000 hours and 24 years without mishap before returning home on the 22nd.[7]
On 31 March 1995, after 26 years of service, VAQ-134 was disestablished for the first time along with CVW-15.[9] The squadron would, however, be recommissioned again, this being called upon to deploy toMCAS Iwakuni in Japan as the U.S. Air Force retired theEF-111A Raven. In 1999, the "Garudas" took part inOperation Allied Force againstSerbia while stationed in Italy.[7]
During 2003, the squadron moved toIncirlik Air Base in Turkey to take part inOperation Northern Watch. This, however, was short-lived asOperation Iraqi Freedom came about, in which the squadron took part.[7]
In December 2010, VAQ-134 deployed on a carrier for the first time in 10 years while on board the Carl Vinson again.[7]
The EA-6B was originally going to be replaced by theEA-18G in early 2015,[10] and the last deployment with the EA-6B was onUSS George H.W. Bush in 2014. This transition however came in 2016 and after this, VAQ-134 deployed to Pacific as an expeditionary squadron. In 2017, they took part inExercise Red Flag atNellis Air Force Base,Nevada, as well as being stationed atMisawa Air Base inJapan with the35th Fighter Wing of theUnited States Air Force.[7]
In March 2022, six squadron aircraft were deployed toSpangdahlem Air Base,Germany, in support ofNATO's air policing efforts in the wake of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[11]
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| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
