VAQ-141
Encyclopedia
Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141), also known as the "Shadowhawks", is an EA-18G Growler
squadron of the United States Navy
that is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
. VAQ-141 falls under the command of Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) and flies in support of Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard the .
and North Sea
and took part in enforcing the Iraqi no-fly zones
as part of Operation Southern Watch
. The squadron was on its way home when the September 11 attacks occurred in New York City
. Carrier Air Wing 8’s deployment was extended and they were sent to join other U.S. Navy assets in the northern Arabian Sea
. Shortly thereafter, VAQ-141 provided electronic attack in support of coalition air and ground forces during the opening stages of the invasion of Afghanistan
also known as Operation Enduring Freedom.
In September 2005, The Shadowhawks once again deployed with CVW-8 to the Persian Gulf
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While still in the Mediterranean 2 EA-6Bs and a detachment of support personnel from VAQ-141 left CVW-8's home, The USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew to Al Asad
air base to augment VMAQ-1
to fill the void left by the previous carrier leaving the AOR. With this, VAQ-141 became the first EA-6B squadron to conduct split ship-shore operations in Iraq.
In September 2008 VAQ-141 departed Naval Station Norfolk aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Ship steamed south to visit Cape Town
South Africa
, and in doing so, the Roosevelt became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to visit the port. The ship soon rounded the Cape of Good Hope
and sailed north, Setting up station in the North Persian Gulf
, Flying missions in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan. In April 2009, VAQ-141 flew off the Roosevelt and into history landing in NAS Whidbey Island for the last time as a EA-6B squadron.
On February 12, 2010, the Shadowhawks were deemed "safe for flight" with the EA-18G Growler, becoming the second operational squadron to transition to the aircraft.
In July 2011, the squadron deployed to the Middle East aboard the carrier George Bush. During the deployment, the squadron's commanding officer, Commander Karl Pugh, was removed as CO after an "alcohol related incident" in Bahrain.
EA-18G Growler
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G will replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is...
squadron of the 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...
that is 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....
. VAQ-141 falls under the command of Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) and flies in support of Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard the .
War on Terror
In April 2001, the squadron deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 8 onboard the . They participated in exercises in the Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
and took part in enforcing the Iraqi no-fly zones
Iraqi no-fly zones
The Iraqi no-fly zones were a set of two separate no-fly zones , and were proclaimed by the United States, United Kingdom and France after the Gulf War of 1991 to protect the Kurdish people in northern Iraq and Shiite Muslims in the south. Iraqi aircraft were forbidden from flying inside the zones...
as part of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
. The squadron was on its way home when the September 11 attacks occurred in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Carrier Air Wing 8’s deployment was extended and they were sent to join other U.S. Navy assets in the northern Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
. Shortly thereafter, VAQ-141 provided electronic attack in support of coalition air and ground forces during the opening stages of the invasion of Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
also known as Operation Enduring Freedom.
In September 2005, The Shadowhawks once again deployed with CVW-8 to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While still in the Mediterranean 2 EA-6Bs and a detachment of support personnel from VAQ-141 left CVW-8's home, The USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew to Al Asad
Al Asad
Al Asad Airbase is the second largest US military airbase in Iraq and is located in the largely Sunni western Province of Iraq Al Anbar. It was formerly the home of the II Marine Expeditionary Force until January 2010...
air base to augment VMAQ-1
VMAQ-1
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 is a United States Marine Corps electronic warfare squadron consisting of EA-6B Prowler jets. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 and the 2nd Marine...
to fill the void left by the previous carrier leaving the AOR. With this, VAQ-141 became the first EA-6B squadron to conduct split ship-shore operations in Iraq.
In September 2008 VAQ-141 departed Naval Station Norfolk aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Ship steamed south to visit Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and in doing so, the Roosevelt became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to visit the port. The ship soon rounded the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
and sailed north, Setting up station in the North Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, Flying missions in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan. In April 2009, VAQ-141 flew off the Roosevelt and into history landing in NAS Whidbey Island for the last time as a EA-6B squadron.
On February 12, 2010, the Shadowhawks were deemed "safe for flight" with the EA-18G Growler, becoming the second operational squadron to transition to the aircraft.
In July 2011, the squadron deployed to the Middle East aboard the carrier George Bush. During the deployment, the squadron's commanding officer, Commander Karl Pugh, was removed as CO after an "alcohol related incident" in Bahrain.
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe 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
External links
- VAQ-141 at globalsecurity.org
- VAQ-141 Shadowhawks EA-18G Growler: Photo walk around of two aircraft including the CAG bird.
- VAQ Shadowhawks: "Ready of Arrival" - Naval Aviation News (September-October 2002)