The Yellow Jackets of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138 recently completed an air-to-air combat training detachment to Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nev., as part of the work-up cycle in the EA-18G Growler. 

The Yellow Jackets were supported by the Saints of Aggressor Squadron VFC-13, along with tactical experts from the Electronic Attack Weapons School. Training covered the intricacies of aerial dog-fighting and air-to-air mission employment, which is a new skill set for this group of seasoned aviators who until recently had flown the EA-6B Prowler.

The squadron arrived on Saturday and promptly set about preparing their spaces and planning missions for the week ahead. 

“I was really glad I was able to get some good rest on Saturday evening because this was a long week of flying,” said Lt. Steven Bettis.

While the aircrew was busy in the sky, the Yellow Jacket maintenance team led the charge on deck keeping all five aircraft combat ready despite a demanding flight schedule. The fast-paced schedule for the detachment meant that there were only 21 maintainers keeping five jets flying all week with each aircraft flying twice per day. VAQ-138 did not miss a single flight all week and it was in no small part the result of the can-do attitude of the Yellow Jackets, on the flight line and in their shops. 

“It’s been really intense but we’re just keeping our heads on a swivel and getting the work done,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class John Decker.

With such great maintenance, the Yellow Jackets were able to log 40 flights totaling 35 hours, earning them two level III air-to-air qualifications.

As the Yellow Jackets left NAS Fallon to return home, they took with them the lessons learned from a challenging detachment and rested easy in the knowledge that they had lived up to the squadron motto: “Nothing less than the best.”