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VAQ-132 participates in Red Flag 20-3

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dwane Young
  • 57th Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Navy Airmen from Electronic Attack Squadron 132 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, successfully completed their mission, launching all jets successfully, July 31, 2020, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

U.S. Navy Airman prepared EA-18G Growler’s for take-off prior to Red Flag 20-3 and coordinated with pilots before launch, confirming systems are fully functional to ensure mission success and the pilot’s safety. They are trained in both ground take offs on land, as well as aircraft carrier operations.

Known as the Scorpions, VAQ-132 is a U.S. Navy tactical jet aircraft squadron specializing in kinetic and non-kinetic Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses.

The Growler is a derivative of the F/A-18 Hornet, the US Navy’s maritime strike aircraft. Its mission is mainly electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defenses, particularly at the start and on-going early stages of hostilities.

The EA-18G has the ability to perform electronic warfare as well as standard fighter aircraft missions.

During Red Flag, aircraft from Nellis operate on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), which offers more than 15,000 square miles of airspace and 4,700 square miles of restricted land. Red Flag provides aircrews the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties in the safety of a training environment.