The Gauntlets of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 have received the coveted Attack Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 Golden Wrench award for the second consecutive year. 

Golden Wrench awards are presented to squadrons that best exemplify the maintenance excellence and teamwork required to maintain uninterrupted combat readiness in the forward deployed naval forces. 

This year, the Gauntlet Maintenance Department sailed through a simultaneous Material Condition Inspection (MCI), Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection (CWTPI), and transition to the NALCOMIS Optimized Operational Maintenance Activity (OOMA) software system.  In March, the Gauntlets scored a record 157.5 out of 160 possible points on the CWTPI, completed a flawless MCI, transitioned to NALCOMIS OOMA, and executed 17 sorties without a hiccup. 

“That was a make-or-break period for the Maintenance Department, and our team knocked it out of the park,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Kurtz, VAQ-136 maintenance officer. “But the success of the inspections and OOMA cutover, coupled with a demanding flight schedule, was a testament to the professionalism of each and every Sailor in the command.”

In February, VAQ-136 traveled to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to participate in Exercise Cope North with the U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force units. Flying more than 40 sorties in two weeks, the Gauntlets aircrew gained valuable experience training with their joint and coalition counterparts.

VAQ-136 is currently embarked with CVW-5 on board USS George Washington for summer deployment in the western Pacific.