Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 is back in familiar surroundings as the squadron recently began another deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Replacing the VAQ-209 Star Warriors, the Garudas are excited about supporting the war effort once again. 

Joining the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing for the fifth consecutive year, the Garudas continue to provide vital Prowler support to OEF. For many of the Garudas, the majestic skyline of the Afghanistan mountains and the squadron spaces at Bagram have become like a second home. 

The command’s Trans-Atlantic crossing was accomplished without a hitch, suffering only a slight delay due to tanker maintenance and some weather along the eastern seaboard.  After climbing through overcast ceilings and experiencing some minor radio complications from the lead aircraft, the four jets proceeded eastward over the ocean.

The six months of intense training that the squadron had completed after returning from Bagram in July clearly paid off in this evolution, with professional flight discipline overcoming significant obstacles.

“My favorite part of the TransLant was when the division joined up on the tanker, someone said over the radio, ‘That was easy!’ and everybody in the division piped up with their response,” said Lt. Lawrence Mahan.

Much of the credit for the flawless execution of the TransLant goes to the Maintenance Department. They not only prepared well-groomed aircraft to begin the deployment but also provided superb maintenance support while the jets traveled halfway across the globe. Their heroic efforts ensured the squadron’s aircraft arrived in theater on time with full mission capability. 

Assisting us crossing the globe were some new additions to the squadron, including Lt.j.g. Kevin Jones and Lt. Cmdr. William Pressley. Additionally, Cmdr. Clark Schroeder, a recent commanding officer of the Squadron Augmentation Unit (SAU) from VAQ-129, proved to be invaluable asset in the Trans-Lant execution.

Once in theater, the Garudas immediately assumed the mission. The squadron’s Advanced Echelon detachment, a small contingent of flight crew and maintenance personnel sent out a few weeks earlier, rolled out the red carpet for their fellow shipmates. Their preparation and diligent work was the key in the seamless transition between VAQ-209 and VAQ-134. 

Within a few weeks of arriving, Cmdr. Greg Parker, VAQ-134 commanding officer, addressed the squadron to recognize everyone’s superior work, including both the newest “Garuda Warriors” as well as squadron veterans.  Over the short turnaround at home, the Garudas produced seven new Prowler Weapons and Tactics Program Level III Mission Commanders: Lt. Justin Canfield, Lt. Erin Hutchison, Lt. Esther Bradley, Lt. Andrew Peterson, Maj. (Sel) Eric Arnold, Capt. Keith O’Halloran and the Garuda executive officer, Cmdr. David Slayton.

Parker expressed his gratitude to the entire squadron for this amazing accomplishment because these individuals “could not have completed this qualification without everyone in this room,” referring to the squadron as a whole.

As with each deployment, months leading up to the squadron’s departure were filled with intensive training and preparation. In particular, the squadron participated in two multi-national exercises at Mountain Home and Nellis Air Force Bases. Simulating real-world combat operations, this training proved that inter-service communication and coordination is paramount for mission success. The large-scale exercises involved participants from Air Force F-15Es, F-16 CJs, A-10s, F-22s, KC-135s, KC-10s, German Air Force Tornados and Taiwanese F-16s. Various Army units and other Navy squadrons also participated.

Now deployed once again to the tip of the spear, the Garudas continue to provide top-notch electronic warfare in direct support of ground troops engaged in the war on terror.