EA-6B Prowler Bases & Squadrons

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~ EA-6B Prowler Permanent Bases ~

NAS Whidbey Island, Washington

All VAQ squadrons except:

VAQ-136 (NAF Atsugi, Japan 1980 ~ 2012)

& VAQ-209, which was always based at NAF Washington, D.C. while flying the Prowler.

NAF Atsugi, Japan

VAQ-136 (1980 ~ 2012)

NAF Washington, D.C.

VAQ-209 (1990 ~ 2013)

NAWS China Lake, California

VX-5 / VX-9 / VX-31

NAS Patuxent River, Maryland

VX-23

MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina

All VMAQ squadrons:

VMAQ-1 / VMAQT-1 / VMAQ-2 / VMAQ-3 / VMAQ-4

~ EA-6B Prowler Major Deployment Locations ~

Al Asad AB

Iraq

Aviano AB

Italy

Bagram AB

Afghanistan

King Khalid AB

Saudi Arabia

Incirlik AB

Turkey

MCAS Iwakuni

Japan

Prince Sultan AB

Saudi Arabia

NAS Sigonella

Sicily, Italy

~ U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowler Commands & Squadrons ~

COMMATVAQWINGPAC
(Commander, Medium Attack Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing, US Pacific Fleet)
(Headquartered at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington)
(1970 ? ~ 1993)

COMVAQWINGPAC
(Commander Electronic Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet)
(Headquartered at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington)
(1993 ~ 1998)

COMVAQWINGPAC
(Commander Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet)
(Headquartered at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington)
(1998 ~ 2015)

NOTE: On 1 February 1993, as a result of the disestablishment of the combined A-6 & EA-6B functional wing (COMMATVAQWINGPAC), the Electronic Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMVAQWINGPAC) was established. The command was redesignated Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet in 1998.

VAQ-35 Greywolves
(1991 ~ 1993)

NOTE: VAQ-142 Grim Watchdogs were disestablished in 1991 as a result of defense spending reductions. Remaining personnel & equipment were transferred to a pre-establishment detachment for VAQ-35 Greywolves. VAQ-35 joined VAQ-33 & VAQ-34, the other electronic aggressor squadrons of the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group in their mission of providing training for fleet radar operators in countering radar jamming & deception. The squadron also assisted with electronic warfare evaluations for R&D & in developing electronic warfare tactics & countertactics. VAQ-35 was disestablished in 1993 when the Navy made a budgetary decision to transfer the electronic aggressor mission to the Navy Reserve.

VAQ-128 Fighting Phoenix
(1997 ~ 2004)

NOTE: In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven fleet & provide a joint service solution with the addition of four new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons & cancelling the disestablishment of a fifth squadron.

On 9 October 1997, VAQ-128 was established as the fourth of these new squadrons & officially designated the "Fighting Phoenix".

VAQ-129 Vikings
(1970 ~ 2014)

VAQ-130 Zappers
(1975 ~ 2011)

VAQ-131 Lancers
(1971 ~ 2014)

VAQ-132 Scorpions
(1971 ~ 2008)

VAQ-133 Wizards
(1971 ~ 1992)
(1996 ~ 2013)

NOTE: In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven fleet & provide a joint service solution with the addition of four new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons & cancelling the disestablishment of a fifth squadron.

On 1 April 1996, VAQ-133 was re-established as the the first of these new squadrons & officially designated the "Wizards".

VAQ-134 Garudas
(1971 ~ 2015)

NOTE: In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven fleet & provide a joint service solution with the addition of four new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons & cancelling the disestablishment of a fifth squadron.

Originally scheduled to be disestablished in March 1995, VAQ-134 were once again called on to defend the flag in a new role as an expeditionary squadron. They accepted five aircraft & were ready for deployment within eight months of stand-up, despite a turnover of 80% of all squadron personnel.

VAQ-135 Black Ravens
(1973 ~ 2010)

VAQ-136 Gauntlets
(1973 ~ 2012)

VAQ-137 Rooks
(1973 ~ 1994)
(1996 ~ 2012)

NOTE: In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven fleet & provide a joint service solution with the addition of four new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons & cancelling the disestablishment of a fifth squadron.

On 3 October 1996, VAQ-137 was re-established as the second of these new squadrons & officially designated the "Rooks".

VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets
(1976 ~ 2009)

VAQ-139 Cougars
(1983 ~ 2011)

VAQ-140 Patriots
(1985 ~ 2013)

VAQ-141 Shadowhawks
(1987 ~ 2009)

VAQ-142 Grim Watchdogs
(1988 ~ 1991)

VAQ-142 Gray Wolves
(1997 ~ 2014)

NOTE: VAQ-142 Grim Watchdogs were disestablished in 1991 as a result of defense spending reductions. Remaining personnel & equipment were transferred to a pre-establishment detachment for VAQ-35 Greywolves.

VAQ-35 joined VAQ-33 & VAQ-34, the other electronic aggressor squadrons of the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group in their mission of providing training for fleet radar operators in countering radar jamming & deception. The squadron also assisted with electronic warfare evaluations for R&D & in developing electronic warfare tactics & countertactics. VAQ-35 was disestablished in 1993 when the Navy made a budgetary decision to transfer the electronic aggressor mission to the Navy Reserve.

NOTE: In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force’s aging EF-111A Raven fleet & provide a joint service solution with the addition of four new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons & cancelling the disestablishment of a fifth squadron.

On 3 April 1997, VAQ-142 was re-established as the third of these new squadrons & officially designated the "Gray Wolves".

VAQ-143 Cobras
(Established 2002, but funding was never provided. Removed from the Standard Navy Distribution List (SDNL) 2009)

VAQ-209 Star Warriors
(1990 ~ 2013)

VAQ-309 Axemen
(1989 ~ 1994)

VX-5 Vampires
(???? ~ 1994)

Note: VX-5 maintained an EA-6B detachment at NAS Whidbey Island, WA until 1985. In June 1993, the Chief of Naval Operations directed the merger of VX-4 Evaluators (NAS Point Mugu, CA) & VX-5 Vampires (NAWS China Lake, CA) into a single operational test & evaluation squadron to be designated as VX-9 Vampires & based at NAWS China Lake, CA.

VX-9 Vampires
(1994 ~ 2013)

Note: In June 1993, the Chief of Naval Operations directed the merger of VX-4 Evaluators (NAS Point Mugu, CA) & VX-5 Vampires (NAWS China Lake, CA) into a single operational test & evaluation squadron to be designated as VX-9 Vampires & based at NAWS China Lake, CA.

VX-23 Salty Dogs
(1995 ~ 2017)

~ U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler Squadrons ~

NOTE: VMCJ-2 was redesignated as VMAQ-2 in 1975 & flew the EA-6A Intruder (designated Detachments Alpha, Bravo & Charlie). In 1977, VMAQ-2 added the EA-6B Prowler (designated Detachments X-ray, Yankee & Zulu) & was the largest tactical squadron in Marine Aviation. On 1 July 1992, VMAQ-2 was reorganized into three squadrons: VMAQ-1, VMAQ-2 & VMAQ-3.

VMAQ-1 Banshees
(1992 ~ 2013)

NOTE: July 1992 VMAQ-2 Detachment X-ray, while on detachment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, was re-commissioned as VMAQ-1. In 2013, VMAQ-1 was redesignated a training squadron to support Prowler operations until 2019.

VMAQT-1 Banshees
(2013 ~ 2016)

NOTE: In 2013, VMAQ-1 was redesignated a training squadron to support Prowler operations. VMAQT-1 was deactivated in 2016.

Image courtesy of

Scott Mellinger

Image courtesy of

Scott Mellinger

VMAQ-2 Playboys
(1977 ~ 1993)

VMAQ-2 Panthers
(1993 ~ 2000)

VMAQ-2 Death Jesters
(2000 ~ Current)

VMAQ-3 Moon Dogs
(1992 ~ 2018)

NOTE: July 1992 VMAQ-3 was commissioned & formed from the personnel and aircraft of VMAQ-2 Detachment ZULU.

VMAQ-4 Seahawks
(1991 ~ 2017)

NOTE: May 1981 VMAQ-4 was established as a reserve squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, WA flying the EA-6A Intruder. During the spring of 1991, VMAQ-4 transitioned from the EA-6A to the newer EA-6B Prowler. In October 1992, VMAQ-4 was restructured as an active duty squadron & moved to MCAS Cherry Point, NC.

~ U.S. Air Force EA-6B Prowler Squadrons ~

388th Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS)
(2004 ~ 2010)

NOTE: Although the U.S. Navy had a single U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) assigned to Prowlers as a long standing exchange tour (with a Navy counterpart flying EF-111A Ravens at Mountain Home AFB), the service formed “Operations Group Alpha” to the 27th Wing in September 1995 to provide administrative support to Air Force personnel at NAS Whidbey Island after the joint EW MOU was signed. This organization was replaced by Det 1, 366th Operations Group in June 1998. They in turn became a full squadron as the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS) in December 2004. The 388th ECS provided support through September 2010, when they were redesignated the 390th ECS "Wild Boars" in order to keep that unit’s historical lineage alive.

390th Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS) Wild Boars
(2010 ~ 2014)

NOTE: The 390th Electronic Combat Squadron (ECS) flew EA-6B Prowlers alongside VAQ-129 Vikings. The last flight of the unit in the Prowler took place on July 09, 2014 as the squadron transitioned to the EA-18G Growler.