Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) will celebrate its 25th year this month. For a quarter century, the Cougars of
VAQ-139 have denied adversaries use of the electromagnetic spectrum. By attacking hostile radar and communications,
Cougar Prowlers not only degrade enemy situational awareness, but also protect other U.S. forces in the battle space.
Over the 25 years of electronic attack operations, the Cougars have made 12 West Pac deployments on six different
aircraft carriers, USS Constellation (CV 64), USS Independence (CV 62), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS John C. Stennis
(CVN 74), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and is currently deployed on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conducting deterrence
operations in the waters of the Western Pacific. Throughout multiple deployments, the squadron has been awarded the
coveted “triple crown” three times, which includes receiving the Battle ‘E,’ CNO Safety ‘S’ and Admiral Arthur W. Radford
Award all in the same year.  On separate occasions, the Cougars earned two additional Battle ‘E’ awards, three Safety ‘S’
awards, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and several Navy Unit Commendations. Since July 1, 1983, the Cougars
have flown three different versions of the EA-6B Prowler. In 1988, the squadron transitioned to the Improved Capabilities
(ICAP) II EA-6B, which featured improved navigation systems and the ability to employ the AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation
Missile (HARM).
In March 2005, the Cougars accepted their first ICAP III Prowler with a completely redesigned weapons system. Using new
technology found in the ICAP III Prowler, VAQ-139 led the EA community in refining the tactical employment of the more
capable aircraft.
The Cougars were also the first to use ICAP III in combat in the spring of 2006 while deployed with USS Ronald Reagan and
to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. Flying more than 650 sorties and 1,650 combat hours in less than three and a half months, the
Cougars provided protection for coalition ground forces battling insurgencies dedicated to destroying a free Iraq.
VAQ-139 will be the last Navy squadron to fly the ICAP III platform before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler.
“For 25 years, Cougar Prowlers have defined excellence in electronic attack. It is only fitting that we will ride them into the
sunset before ushering in a new era of electronic attack dominance in the Growler,” said Cdr. Bruce Hay, commanding
officer of the Cougars.