On board the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 Zappers are one-quarter of the way through their current combat deployment and already have many stories to share.

Day after day, sorties are being flown with precision execution, and aircrews are coming back having successfully supported U.S. and Coalition ground forces involved in Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Electronic attack in support of ground forces is a progressing field,” said Lt.j.g. Stewart Long, speaking about the importance of these missions. “The EA-6B has very successfully adapted its mission in order to help protect our men and women on the ground.”

Zappers Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Hammer, added that, “Electronic attack is an integral part of the United States’ effort to defeat extremist activity around the globe, and VAQ-130 has been leading that charge since its inception over 50 years ago.”

For some Zappers the deployment has become a somewhat nostalgic journey.

The oldest carrier-based jet still utilized in the Navy today, the EA-6B is leaving the Zapper’s inventory shortly after this deployment when the squadron transitions to the new EA-18G Growler. 

The EA-6B Prowler was first flown May 25, 1968, and officially entered the skies in 1971. The Zappers mission “To achieve Fleet and Strike Group Commander objectives by conducting offensive and defensive operations against land, sea and air targets through Electronic Attack,” has stayed true since transitioning to the then state–of-the-art aircraft in 1975.

The Prowler is an incredibly high-maintenance jet, which makes it imperative that the maintainers be on top of their game at all times.

“We’ve had clean streaks and we’ve had trouble, but without trouble, we’d be out of a job!” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Schofield who has been hard at work along with the rest of the Zappers team.

As the Zappers charge onward in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, they continue to relentlessly stay true to their motto “We can hack it!”