VAQ-209
Encyclopedia
Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) is a United States Navy Reserve
electronic attack squadron. Known as the "Star Warriors", the squadron operates the Grumman EA-6B Prowler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. Based at Naval Air Facility Washington D.C. (USA)
, it is assigned to the Tactical Support Wing
.
, on 1 October 1977. It was part of the U.S. Navy Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20). Originally the squadron was equipped with the Grumman EA-6A Electronic Intruder
.
, Washington. In 1995, the "Star Warriors" were mobilized for combat operations over Bosnia and participated in both Operation Deny Flight
and Operation Deliberate Force. A four-plane detachment was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt
, as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight
from 22 March to 22 September 1995.
In 1998, VAQ-209 Deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey
with 3 EA-6B aircraft to conduct combat operations in direct support of Operation Northern Watch
. The squadron maintained 100% mission coverage and a 96% sortie completion rate. VAQ-209 was the first "Prowler" squadron to deploy with only 3 aircraft and not miss a single ONW mission, the first Navy Reserve Squadron to deploy to Incirlik in support of ONW, and the first EA-6B squadron to carry HARM into the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR). Additionally it was the first EA-6B squadron to develop specific Prowler HARM and jamming tactics for ONW operations and ROE, and the first EA-6B squadron to be overall Mission Commander for entire ONW strike packages.
In 1999 the squadron received a 96 hour to prepare to deploy order for Operation ALLIED FORCE (OAF). VAQ-209 deployed in accordance with JCS directive on April 16, 1999 with two aircraft, arriving in Aviano AB, Italy on April 17 via Lajes, Azores. VAQ-209 provided sole maintenance support for VAQ-209, 138, and 140 EA-6B translant aircraft, accompanying the aircraft to Lajes and remaining there until April 20 to support follow-on movement of NAS Whidbey Island Prowlers. VAQ-209 entered combat operations on April 17, 1999 and continued until hostilities ended on June 21, 1999. The Star Warriors redeployed on 25 June 1999 through RAF Mildenhall
, NAS Keflevic (RON), Sonder Stromfjord (Greenland), Goose Bay CFB, and NAS Brunswick (RON), arriving in NAF Washington on June 27, 1999. The squadron completed 150 combat sorties and over 550 combat flight hours with a 98% sortie completion rate and no injuries.
. While in Turkey, VAQ-209 aircrew flew 75 combat sorties and over 250 mishap free flight hours returning to NAF Washington in early May 2000. During the year 2000, VAQ-209 continued its excellent safety record, achieving 23 years and 24,000 hours or mishap free flying.
In the spring of 2001 the squadron deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PSAB) in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW). This was the first deployment of a reserve EA-6B squadron to the Area of Operations. VAQ-209 completed the 45-day deployment to PSAB, during which they flew 59 combat sorties and 191 flight hours, with a 100% sortie completion rate.
In August 2002, VAQ-209 deployed for the third time to Incirlik AB, Turkey for OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH. This time VAQ-209 flew 88 combat sorties and over 300 flight hours before returning home in October. The squadron went on to set a calendar year flight record of 1539.4 flight hours, a truly notable accomplishment for a reserve squadron.
The Star Warriors deployed to the PACOM theater from April to June 2005. The deployment proved invaluable for training and readiness. Soon after their return from Japan, the Star Warriors once again learned that their combat expertise would be required in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. In June 2006, VAQ-209 deployed to Al-ASAD Air base, Iraq. There the squadron continued its exemplary record flying over 300 combat sorties for a combined total of more than 1500 flight hours.
Less than two years later, VAQ-209 returned to combat, this time over the skies of Afghanistan. The squadron deployed to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from January to March 2008 and once again from March to May 2009. Operating out of Bagram Air Base, the squadron executed over 2000 combat hours of flight time supporting US and ISAF forces on the ground. For their exemplary combat performance, the squadron was recognized as the CNAFR squadron of the year.
The Star Warriors of Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) returned to Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility (NAF) Washington Nov. 4 2011 following an 85-day deployment in Afghanistan.
During deployment, the Star Warriors flew 193 combat sorties with a mission completion rate of 100 percent, delivering 769 hours of electronic combat suppression against the enemy while the VAQ-209 maintenance department accomplished a combat sortie completion rate of 99.51 percent. The Star Warriors also serviced more than 226 joint tactical air support requests (JTASR).
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
electronic attack squadron. Known as the "Star Warriors", the squadron operates the Grumman EA-6B Prowler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft. Based at Naval Air Facility Washington D.C. (USA)
Andrews Air Force Base
Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing, Air Force District of Washington ....
, it is assigned to the Tactical Support Wing
Tactical Support Wing
The Tactical Support Wing is a United States Navy reserve Tactical air wing based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Commander, Tactical Support Wing has become the new designation of the former Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 . This change occurred on 1 April 2007 and was executed...
.
Mission
"To safely train to attain and maintain mobilization readiness for immediate employment in event of war or national emergency."1990s
- 1995 Cruise CVN-71
- 1998 ONW Incirlik, Turkey
- 1999 Cruise CVN-71/VAQ-141 & Kosovo (Aviano,IT) with VAQ-138, VAQ-140
2000s
- 2000 ONW Incirlik, Turkey
- 2001 OSW/PSAB (Prince Sultan Air Base) Saudi Arabia
- 2002 ONW Incirlik, Turkey
- 2005 Iwakuni, Japan
- 2006 OIF Al Asad, Iraq
- 2008 OEF Bagram, Afghanistan
- 2009 OEF Bagram, Afghanistan
Creation
VAQ-209 was established at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia (USA)Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, on 1 October 1977. It was part of the U.S. Navy Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20). Originally the squadron was equipped with the Grumman EA-6A Electronic Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
.
1990s
VAQ-209 relocated to Naval Air Facility Washington, on Andrews Air Force Base in May 1990 and began transition to the EA-6B Prowler. The event marked not only the significant upgrading of CVWR-20's electronic attack capability, but also the first assignment of the U.S. Navy's EA-6B aircraft to be home ported outside of Naval Air Station Whidbey IslandNaval 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....
, Washington. In 1995, the "Star Warriors" were mobilized for combat operations over Bosnia and participated in both Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Operation Deliberate Force. A four-plane detachment was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier. Her radio call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War...
, as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W...
from 22 March to 22 September 1995.
In 1998, VAQ-209 Deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
with 3 EA-6B aircraft to conduct combat operations in direct support of Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
. The squadron maintained 100% mission coverage and a 96% sortie completion rate. VAQ-209 was the first "Prowler" squadron to deploy with only 3 aircraft and not miss a single ONW mission, the first Navy Reserve Squadron to deploy to Incirlik in support of ONW, and the first EA-6B squadron to carry HARM into the Tactical Area of Responsibility (TAOR). Additionally it was the first EA-6B squadron to develop specific Prowler HARM and jamming tactics for ONW operations and ROE, and the first EA-6B squadron to be overall Mission Commander for entire ONW strike packages.
RAF Mildenhall
RAF Mildenhall is a Royal Air Force station located at Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Despite its status as an RAF station, it primarily supports United States Air Force operations and is currently the home of the 100th Air Refueling Wing...
, NAS Keflevic (RON), Sonder Stromfjord (Greenland), Goose Bay CFB, and NAS Brunswick (RON), arriving in NAF Washington on June 27, 1999. The squadron completed 150 combat sorties and over 550 combat flight hours with a 98% sortie completion rate and no injuries.
2000s
In March 2000, the squadron deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey, with 4 aircraft to again support Operation Northern WatchOperation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
. While in Turkey, VAQ-209 aircrew flew 75 combat sorties and over 250 mishap free flight hours returning to NAF Washington in early May 2000. During the year 2000, VAQ-209 continued its excellent safety record, achieving 23 years and 24,000 hours or mishap free flying.
In the spring of 2001 the squadron deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (PSAB) in support of Operation Southern Watch (OSW). This was the first deployment of a reserve EA-6B squadron to the Area of Operations. VAQ-209 completed the 45-day deployment to PSAB, during which they flew 59 combat sorties and 191 flight hours, with a 100% sortie completion rate.
In August 2002, VAQ-209 deployed for the third time to Incirlik AB, Turkey for OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH. This time VAQ-209 flew 88 combat sorties and over 300 flight hours before returning home in October. The squadron went on to set a calendar year flight record of 1539.4 flight hours, a truly notable accomplishment for a reserve squadron.
The Star Warriors deployed to the PACOM theater from April to June 2005. The deployment proved invaluable for training and readiness. Soon after their return from Japan, the Star Warriors once again learned that their combat expertise would be required in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. In June 2006, VAQ-209 deployed to Al-ASAD Air base, Iraq. There the squadron continued its exemplary record flying over 300 combat sorties for a combined total of more than 1500 flight hours.
Less than two years later, VAQ-209 returned to combat, this time over the skies of Afghanistan. The squadron deployed to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from January to March 2008 and once again from March to May 2009. Operating out of Bagram Air Base, the squadron executed over 2000 combat hours of flight time supporting US and ISAF forces on the ground. For their exemplary combat performance, the squadron was recognized as the CNAFR squadron of the year.
The Star Warriors of Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) returned to Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility (NAF) Washington Nov. 4 2011 following an 85-day deployment in Afghanistan.
During deployment, the Star Warriors flew 193 combat sorties with a mission completion rate of 100 percent, delivering 769 hours of electronic combat suppression against the enemy while the VAQ-209 maintenance department accomplished a combat sortie completion rate of 99.51 percent. The Star Warriors also serviced more than 226 joint tactical air support requests (JTASR).
External links
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