VAQ-144
{{primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Electronic Attack Squadron 144
| native_name =
| image = Boeing EA-18G Growler of VAQ-144 lands aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Atlantic Ocean, 15 April 2024 (240415-N-TY639-1193).JPG
| image_size = 300
| caption = A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024
| dates = 1 October 2021–present
({{Age in years and months|2021|10|1}})
| country = {{USA}}
| branch = {{navy|USA}}
| type = Electronic Attack
| role = Electronic Warfare
| size =
| command_structure = {{nowrap|File:CVW-1 Emblem.svg Carrier Air Wing One}}
| garrison = {{nowrap|File:NAS Whidbey Island Emblem.svg NAS Whidbey Island}}
| garrison_label =
| nickname = Main Battery
| patron =
| motto = "Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details"
| colors = {{Color box|#ec6924|#ec6924|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#be5227|#be5227|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#000000|#000000|border=darkgray}}
| colors_label =
| march =
| mascot = Devil
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles = Operation Prosperity Guardian
Operation Poseidon Archer
| battles_label =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| flying_hours =
| website = https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/
| commander1= CDR Brant "Probie" Schmall
| commander1_label= Commanding Officer
| commander2= CDR Richard "Lampshade" Delk
| commander2_label= Executive Officer
| commander3= CMDCM Laura Blanco
| commander3_label= Command Master Chief
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol = 165px
| identification_symbol_label = VAQ-144 insignia
| identification_symbol_2 = DEVIL
| identification_symbol_2_label = Callsign
| identification_symbol_3 = 5XX{{Cite web |title=Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers |url=http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/p/us-navy-aircraft-modex-numbers.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Milcom Monitoring Post}}
| identification_symbol_3_label = Modex
| identification_symbol_4 = AB
| identification_symbol_4_label = Tail Code
| aircraft_attack =
| aircraft_bomber =
| aircraft_electronic = EA-18G Growler (2023–present)
| aircraft_fighter =
| aircraft_helicopter =
| aircraft_helicopter_attack =
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo =
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole =
| aircraft_helicopter_observation =
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer =
| aircraft_helicopter_utility =
| aircraft_interceptor =
| aircraft_patrol =
| aircraft_recon =
| aircraft_trainer =
| aircraft_transport =
| aircraft_tanker =
| aircraft_general =
}}
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.{{cite web|title=About US |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/About-Us/|website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}
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.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/About-Us/History/|website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}
=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.
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
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144// VAQ-144 official website]
{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
Category:Electronic attack squadrons of the United States Navy
Category:Aircraft squadrons of the United States Navy
Category:Military units and formations in Washington (state)