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.[3]
| Electronic Attack Squadron 144 | |
|---|---|
 A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024 | |
| Active | 1 October 2021–present (3 years, 1 month) |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Electronic Attack |
| Role | Electronic Warfare |
| Part of |  Carrier Air Wing One |
| Garrison/HQ |  NAS Whidbey Island |
| Nickname(s) | Main Battery |
| Motto(s) | "Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details" |
| Colors | #ec6924 #be5227 #000000 |
| Mascot(s) | Devil |
| Website | https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/ |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | CDR Brant "Probie" Schmall |
| Executive Officer | CDR Richard "Lampshade" Delk |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM Laura Blanco |
| Insignia | |
| VAQ-144 insignia |  |
| Callsign | DEVIL |
| Modex | 5XX[1] |
| Tail Code | AB |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | EA-18G Growler (2023–present) [2] |
History
editVAQ-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.[2]
VAQ-144
editIn 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.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers". Milcom Monitoring Post. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
- ^ a b "History". www.airpac.navy.mil.
- ^ a b "About US". www.airpac.navy.mil.