After only a few short months at home, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 packed their bags and departed Naval Air Station Whidbey Island for another deployment aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of Carrier Air Wing 14.

The Reagan Strike Group departed San Diego, May 28, headed to the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The squadron returned home from its 2008 deployment around Thanksgiving and after a short holiday leave period, were back at work preparing for their rapidly approaching surge cruise.

The short workup cycle included airframe testing in China Lake and a two week abbreviated Air Wing Fallon exercise meant to train not simply the squadron, but the Air Wing as a whole.

In March, the Cougars returned to sea to continue preparation with the rest of Reagan’s crew during Sustainex. Cmdr. Darryl Walker, VAQ-139 commanding officer, noted that, “the Cougars team has prepared well during a short turn around and is ready for combat operations.”

While the last six months passed, in what must have seemed like a blink of an eye, the squadron enthusiastically and successfully on-loaded all of their equipment and four fully operational capable EA-6B Prowlers. Within two days, after long hours endured by both aircrew and maintainers, all six pilots were carrier qualified and the squadron was ready to push forward in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I am honored to serve with a group of professionals that help keep this great nation free,” Walker said.

The deployment is the fourth for the San Diego-based Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 7 and the ninth of 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president; its motto, “Peace through Strength,” was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.