The Wizards of Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) recently marked an historic moment aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with the squadron’s first carrier-arrested landing since December 1991. 

“It actually came as a surprise to me and my crew after we landed,” said Lt. Cmdr. Hunter Bankart, the pilot for the landing. “It wasn’t planned for us to be the first trap but we felt honored to be a part of this historic occasion.”

The path leading to this moment began on Aug. 6 this year when VAQ-133 left their “expeditionary” days behind them and became part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Strike Group.

The Wizards’ past is both storied and diverse. VAQ-133 was established March 4, 1969 at NAS Alameda, Calif., with the primary mission of detecting and jamming hostile electronic signals. The squadron first flew the EKA-3B “Skywarrior.” The squadron was deactivated for a short time in August 1971 when they moved to NAS Whidbey Island, transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler and adopted the call sign “Wizards.”

In January 1974, VAQ-133 departed Norfolk, Va., aboard USS America (CV 66) marking the first-ever Prowler deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and the first deployment of the new Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the EA-6B.

For the next 18 years, the Wizard’s record of operational excellence provided the nation with front line electronic warfare defense until on Apr. 24, 1992, when the Wizards were temporarily put to rest during a disestablishment ceremony.

On April 4, 1996, the Wizards were brought back to life as the second of four new expeditionary squadrons assigned to provide joint electronic combat support for the Department of Defense. These new expeditionary squadrons were truly “joint,” integrating four U.S. Air Force aircrew into the squadron.

On Oct. 17, the Wizards opened a new chapter in their history as they left for San Diego to participate in the squadron’s first carrier qualification since becoming an expeditionary squadron 14 years ago.

To prepare for this new adventure the Wizards worked long hours to fly day and night preparing for the qualification period aboard USS Nimitz.  This was a new experience for many of the Wizard aircrew and enlisted personnel, many of whom had not worked on a carrier or within the air wing structure.

The feelings among the Wizards without carrier experience were of excitement and a bit of apprehension. 

“I will get to see the sun rise in new places!” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Andrew Godwin.

Two Air Force officers will be staying with the Wizards as they prepare for their first carrier deployment since 1991. 

“This is truly a unique experience for an Air Force navigator like me,” said Air Force Maj. Doug Woodley. “Being the son of a Naval Aviator, I am very excited to embark on this new adventure.”

Wizard maintainers have performed above and beyond all expectations, extending shifts to ensure that the squadron had aircraft ready to go to sea and ready for carrier operations. They continued this increased pace to maintain a total fleet of seven aircraft from VAQ-133 and VAQ-129 during the carrier qualification period.

After the historic landing on Oct. 22, the Wizards continued their hard work, successfully qualifying all six of pilots and gaining valuable experience in the carrier environment during this at-sea period.  The Wizards’ carrier qualification process would not have been a success without the support of VAQ-129 and USS Nimitz. VAQ-129 was instrumental in the training leading to the Wizards’ success at sea and the hospitality and support of Team Nimitz allowed VAQ-129 and the Wizards to concentrate on the main task of carrier qualification.