VAQ-130 is the oldest electronic warfare unit in the US Navy. It has been involved in combat action from the Vietnam War to the US and Allied efforts to provide safe passage for commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen. Read on to learn more about this amazing squadron.
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The origin and some operational highlights of VAQ-130
The US Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Zero (VAQ-130) is the oldest electronic warfare squadron. VAQ-130 adopted its nickname “Zappers” and its distinctive Zapper Dragon insignia in 1959, when the squadron was commissioned.
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In 1959, the “Zappers” were designated the Carrier Early Warning Squadron Thirteen (VAW-13). At that time, the unit flew the Douglas AD-5Q/EA-1F, the electronic countermeasures variant of the Douglass A-1 Skyraider. Fifty-four AD-5Q/EA-1F’s were converted from the AD-5N night-attack variant (239 of this variant were manufactured).
During the Vietnam War, AD-5Q/EA-1F detachments operated from a few aircraft carriers on station in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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AD-5Q/EA-1F Skyraider (Electronic warfare variant)
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
Length | 40 ft. |
Wingspan | 50 ft. |
Height | 15 ft., 8 in. |
Empty Weight | 12,097 lb. |
Gross Weight | 25,000 lb. |
Powerplant | 1x 2,700 horsepower Wright R-3350-26-WA 2,700 engine |
Maximum Speed | 290 mph at 17,200 ft. |
Service ceiling | 23,100 ft. |
Range | 1,358 miles |
Crew | Pilot, navigator, and two ECM operators |
Details provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command
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An overview of the Navy’s electronic warfare mission in Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, AD-5Q/EA-1F detachments operated from a few aircraft carriers stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. Generally, an AD-5Q/EA-1F mission consisted of a pair of aircraft flying in advance of a strike formation. Once in position, they would monitor a designated area while maintaining their course off the coast to look for enemy radar.
Photo: US Navy | Wikimedia Commons
Once a North Vietnamese radar site was discovered, the aircraft employed their jamming equipment and dropped chaff to prevent the radar operators from locking on to the incoming strike aircraft.
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On October 1, 1968, VAW-13 was redesignated VAQ-130 and placed under the operational control of Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing Thirteen. On December 27, 1968, the final AD-5Q/EA-1F combat flight took place when the aircraft deployed from USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67).
Operation Desert Fox
Due to the interference from Saddam Hussein's regime, with UN inspectors during their search for weapons of mass destruction, or the outright refusal to allow them access to certain sites, President Clinton authorized Operation Desert Fox.
By the conclusion of Operation Desert Fox, which lasted four days, the Zappers launched 18 HARM missiles...
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The primary focus of this operation was to degrade the ability of Saddam’s regime to manufacture and use weapons of mass destruction. The main targets of this bombing campaign were weapons research and development facilities, weapon and supply depots, air defense installations, and the barracks and headquarters of the Republican Guard.
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Photo: USAF
The role of the Zappers during “Desert Fox”
Within Operation Desert Fox, the Zappers were a crucial element in support of the Navy’s mission and role. The Zappers flew in excess of 45 combat hours on 18 strike missions. By the conclusion of Operation Desert Fox, which lasted four days, the Zappers launched 18 HARM missiles, ensuring that follow-on aircraft could deliver their 345.63 tons of ordnance without losing a single strike aircraft.
The Zappers during Operation Iraqi Freedom and operating over Syria
The early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom
The Zappers supported Operation Iraqi Freedom from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). During this deployment, the Zappers fired approximately 35 HARM missiles in direct support of air strikes. For this action, the Zappers were awarded the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle “E”, CNO Safety “S” and finally, the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award, for being the highest performing EA-6B Prowler squadron in 2003.
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Photo: US Navy
Information table for the EA-6B Prowler (Electronic warfare variant)
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Grumman Aerospace Corporation |
Length | 59 ft., 10 in. |
Wingspan | 53 ft. |
Height | 16 ft., 3 in. |
Empty Weight | 32,162 lb. |
Gross Weight | 65,000 lb. |
Powerplant | 2x 11,200 lb. static thrust Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojets |
Maximum Speed | 610 mph at sea level |
Service ceiling | 38,000 ft. |
Range | 2,400 miles |
Armament | Provision for AGM-88 HARM |
Crew | One pilot and three electronic counter-measures officers |
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Details provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command
Ops over Syria
By June 2016, the Zappers were deployed with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). At this time, the Zappers supported Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria while utilizing their fairly new EA-18 Growler, having begun transitioning to this aircraft in 2011. This deployment lasted seven months, and the USS Eisenhower was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
The Zappers achieved a 100% sortie completion rate and flew an incredible 308 sorties...
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Photo: Department of Defense
During this combat deployment, the Zappers achieved a 100% sortie completion rate and flew an incredible 308 sorties. In December 2016, the Zappers departed the Mediterranean Sea and returned to their home port of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on December 31.
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Information table for the EA-18 Growler (Electronic Attack variant)
General Specifications | Data |
---|---|
Manufacturer | The Boeing Company |
Date Deployed | First flight in October 2004. Initial operational capability (IOC) in September 2009 with first deployment for VAQ-132 in November 2010. |
Unit Cost | $67 million |
Primary Function | Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) |
Length | 60.2 feet |
Wingspan | 44.9 feet |
Height | 16 feet |
Empty Weight | 33,094 pounds |
Recovery Weight | 48,000 pounds |
Powerplant | 2x F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine |
Service ceiling | 50,000 feet |
Range | Combat: 850+ nautical miles with two AIM-120, three ALQ-99, two AGM-88 HARM, two 480 gallon external fuel tanks |
Armament | Two AIM-120, two AGM-88 HARM, three ALQ-99 |
Crew | 2 |
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Details provided by the US Navy
Zapping the Houthis
Most recently, VAQ-130 supported Operation Prosperity Garden on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. This operation began in 2023. The purpose is to defend innocent shipping and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-sponsored Houthi militant group in Yemen.
Photo: US Navy
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While supporting this mission, the Zappers executed continuous combat operations in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Straight, and the Gulf of Aden. Over the course of their involvement, VAQ-130 conducted 700 combat missions, which degraded the Houthi ability to threaten innocent shipping. Additionally, VAQ-130 supported the launch of approximately 120 standard missiles and dozens of tomahawk missiles by US and coalition forces.
VAQ-130 and the Navy’s electronic warfare effort
Today, the EA-18G Growler is the backbone of the Navy’s electronic warfare program, and it continues to receive funding in order to modernize its capabilities.
VAQ-130 and all electronic warfare units in the US military will continue to be of great importance as all modern militaries rely on communications equipment that utilizes broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) to conduct military operations. This equipment allows military units to communicate, transmit data, provide navigation and timing information, and maintain command and control for deployed units.
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Photo: Department of Defense
Given the EMS's great importance, it is also of the utmost importance to be able to dominate it when the need arises to confront hostile forces. Fortunately for the Navy, VAQ-130 and its EA-18G growlers provide excellent options for operating within the EMS.
These options include the ability to carry up to five AN/ALQ-99 tactical jammer systems pods mounted under the wings and fuselage. These integrate with its internal AN/ALQ-218 electronic warfare (EW) system for detection and jamming.
The VAQ-130's skills and capabilities will be in great need now and in the future.
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The Boeing EA-18G Growler shares over 90% of its characteristics with the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet.