Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers", is an United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 EA-6B Prowler squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....

. Part of Carrier Air Wing 2, the Lancers deploy aboard the . Their radio callsign is "Skybolt".

History

VAQ-131 was originally commissioned as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune. In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior

A-3 Skywarrior

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was originally designed as a strategic bomber for the United States Navy and was among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft in history. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991...

 and was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4). Then in November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, the Lancers became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the EA-6B Prowler.

See also

• History of the United States Navy
  History of the United States Navy
  The history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
  
  
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons