The Gray Wolves of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 were awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety ‘S’ on April 5.
This is the second consecutive year that VAQ-142 has received this prestigious award and marks the fourth Safety ‘S’ the
squadron has received since 2001. The Safety ‘S’ is presented annually to the squadron with the most proactive approach
to safety, both on and off duty. VAQ-142 has sustained operational excellence, combining mission success with exemplary
safety performance.
The past nine months have been particularly impressive with two detachments for Large Force Exercises, and a deployment in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where a 24-hour flight tempo was maintained for six months. The Sailors and aircrew of
the Wolf pack all share safety responsibilities for one another that can be thought of as a safety brotherhood. This comes
naturally with the professionalism the young men and women possess. In addition, the squadron regularly employs safety
stand-downs, operational resource management training and often recognizes Sailors who stand out for their safety contributions.
Lt. Chad Mickelson, the Ground Safety Officer, said, “Having safety stand downs can become repetitive, so it is important to approach
safety in different ways to get through to young Sailors”.
The maturity and good conduct of the Sailors also shine while off-duty. With the correct safety measures practiced, VAQ-142 has
shown it can remain combat-ready while implementing tools and resources that avoid mishaps both at work and play.