The VAQ-130 Zappers had the honor of giving Commander, Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) Capt. James Cook his first flight in an EA-6B Prowler Nov. 14.

The Whidbey weather was beautiful, which allowed the Zappers to fly the 1351D low-level route, which runs from Whidbey Island through eastern and southern Washington state. They executed a reactive suppression of enemy air defenses mission while on the route.

The crew was comprised of Cook, pilot Lt. Dave Picinich, and electronic countermeasures officers (ECMO’s) Lt. Jennifer Barnes and Lt. Matthew Cutter. This was Cook’s first flight in a Prowler and his first experience with a four-person crew.

Cook is a pilot with training in both F-14 Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets. This visit afforded him the opportunity to participate in the integration of tasks that an EA-6B Prowler mission demands.

“It gives me an appreciation for the ECMO’s in the back seat. The coordination between crewmembers was seamless. It was very interesting to see,” Cook said.

After the flight Cook praised the Zappers for being “without a doubt, the best Prowler squadron in CVW-3.”

Cook has visited Whidbey Island numerous times in the last three decades because he has family on Orcas Island. He mentioned his affinity for the climate and scenery, and said, “I love the Northwest. It’s God’s country, even in the wintertime.”