The Lancers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 received much needed help from the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron
(VAQ) 141 in the form of Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Jennifer Thomas.
Before the Lancers left for their 2008 deployment, they were in dire need of a Cryptologic Technician to help them accomplish their
mission for combat operations in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
Thomas, VAQ-141, stepped up to the plate and volunteered to help out the Lancers for several reasons. First, she was aware of their
fine reputation across the flight line, so she took the opportunity to be part of a winning team. Second, she felt strongly about the
mission the Lancers were going to conduct on their deployment, what their mission stood for and the impact that it was going to
have on the ground troops.
Thomas brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the fight. She has been in the Navy for 10 years and has been stationed in various
commands, such as Naval Security Group Activity in Maine, Joint Intelligence Center Pacific in Hawaii and Electronic Attack Squadrons
129, 140 and 141 at Whidbey Island.
She enjoys being in the Navy and plans to make it a career. She has already performed most jobs a CTT can do in the Navy and her
expertise helps the Lancers perform their mission. 
For her next tour, she is hoping to go back to Hawaii to be a technical electronic intelligence analyst.
Her primary mission while attached to VAQ-131 is to provide Indications and warning to the ship and air wing, mainly of anti-ship
missile signals through signals intelligence. She also performs a variety of specialized duties associated with the collection and processing
of airborne, ship-borne and land-based radar signals. 
Exploitation of enemy communications and radars is accomplished through the process of interception, identification, extraction of
intelligence and location of enemy emissions.
Most of her work is transparent to the aircrews, but her work is truly highlighted when it comes time for mission planning and post-flight
analysis. Thomas left behind her husband David and 1-year old son Quentin to join the Lancers on this deployment. She admits leaving her family
was the hardest thing to do, but she knows she did the right thing by supporting the Lancers and serving her country.
“This deployment has actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me,” she said. “I am getting the chance to work on my enlisted
surface warfare specialist pin, re-enlist in a tax-free zone, earn a navy enlisted classification code and gain more experience and
knowledge to further my career”.