The Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island from a five-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Oct. 20-21.
The Cougars deployed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in May and attached to Carrier Air Wing 14. While in theater, air crew members from VAQ-139 were afforded the opportunity to cross train with the expeditionary squadron VAQ-134, the Garudas.

According to Lt. William Buhl, VAQ-139, who participated in the exchange, the opportunity to fly the improved capability (ICAP) II EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-134 versus the ICAP III Prowler was good experience.
“One of the benefits of the expeditionary mission is you take off and you’re immediately there and providing support; already in the fight, so to speak,” said Buhl.

“It really benefited us because we got the chance to go see how they operate doing strictly ground operations and it gave them the opportunity to see how we operate and do business on the boat,” said Cmdr. Daryl Walker, VAQ-139 commanding officer.

VAQ-139 flew a total of 1,350 flight hours, 850 of which were flown in direct support of OEF as a result of 115 combat sorties, leading to a 100 percent combat sortie completion rate.
Over the course of the deployment Reagan conducted four port visits to Singapore, Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, Phuket, Thailand, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Upon departing Hawaii, Reagan embarked approximately 800 friends and family members, 46 of which were with VAQ-139, for a six-day cruise back to San Diego before returning to NAS Whidbey Island.
“The Reagan may have put on the best tiger cruise I’ve been on,” said Cmdr. Chris Middleton, VAQ-139 executive officer, who embarked three family members for the cruise.”

According to Walker, a deployment isn’t over until you get everyone home safe and sound.
“The troops did everything that was asked of them, we didn’t fail in any part,” said Walker. “We brought everybody back that I took out, which, to me, makes the cruise successful.”