It’s been six long months since the 182 men and women of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 said goodbye to their families and loved ones at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. 

In March, the Garudas departed their home station for Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where they have been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Sailors and Aircrew of the squadron have performed their jobs superbly, despite the hot Afghan summer, but are now looking forward to the squadron’s return.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing my dogs again, and it will be nice to get out of the routine,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Jamie Jones.

While deployed to Afghanistan, the Garuda aircrew flew an incredible 2,200 hours of missions, averaging over 60 hours a month each. In just six months, they flew 614 combat missions, both day and night. During this time, the crews provided full spectrum electronic support to ground forces engaged in direct combat as part of the global war on terrorism.

Air Force Capt. Pascual Zamudio described the operation tempo as “busy, but it kept our minds off being away from home and family for six months.”

Soldiers on the ground were always glad to know a VAQ-134 EA-6B Prowler was overhead providing support. Prowler support was awesome, said one Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC).

For Garuda maintainers, the work was just as difficult. Working 24 hours a day in two 12-hour shifts, they logged over 23,200 maintenance hours on the squadron’s aging EA-6B Prowlers. Using a makeshift hangar with limited resources, the 135 maintainers managed to keep VAQ-134’s four aircraft on the line and ready for missions.

During the deployment, the squadron had several opportunities to break up the routine of daily life. The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe Campa, both met with Sailors in the squadron.

First Lady Laura Bush, presidential candidate Senator Barrack Obama, Toby Keith and Milo Ventimiglia of the television show “Heroes” also made stops at the base. Such events helped not only to break up the monotony, but also to relieve some of the stress of being away from home for six months.

When the squadron returns, members will enjoy some well-deserved time off before returning to work. They have many events to prepare for before returning to Afghanistan, including moving to a new hangar, detachments to Point Mugu, Calif.; Key West, Fla.; and participating in Exercise Red Flag with other squadrons from around the world.

When asked what was accomplished on their mission here, Lt. Cmdr. Chad Mirt said, “We saved lives by efficiently delivering the right force at the right time to the ground commander.”

Through their hard work and mission readiness, the Garudas have forged a reputation for excellence in Bagram that will only be improved on in future deployments.