VAQ-130

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title: "VAQ-130" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electronic-attack-squadrons-of-the-united-states-navy", "military-units-and-formations-in-washington-(state)"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VAQ-130" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_nameElectronic Attack Squadron 130
imageVAQ-130 Emblem.svg
dates1 September 1959 - Present
()
country
branch
typeElectronic Attack
roleElectronic Warfare
command_structure[[File:CVW-3 Emblem.svg
garrison[[File:NAS Whidbey Island Emblem.svg
nicknameZappers
motto"Zap Zap, Dominate", "Fly Fast, Talk Trash, E.A."
colors
mascotRobbie the Dragon
battlesVietnam War
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Provide Promise
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deliberate Force
Operation Deliberate Guard
Operation Desert Fox
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Majestic Eagle
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation New Dawn
Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Prosperity Guardian 2024 missile strikes in Yemen Operation Absolute Resolve | | decorations | Safety "S" (4) Battle "E" (3) Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award (2) Prowler Squadron of the Year Award (3) Association of Old Crows- Outstanding Unit Award | | website | https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-130/ | | commander1 | CDR. Timothy "Puddy" Warburton | | commander1_label | Commanding Officer | | commander2 | CDR. | | commander2_label | Executive Officer | | commander3 | CMDCM. Frank H. Wilson Jr. | | commander3_label | Command Master Chief | | identification_symbol | ZAPPER | | identification_symbol_label | Callsign | | identification_symbol_2 | 5XX | | identification_symbol_2_label | Modex | | identification_symbol_3 | AC | | identification_symbol_3_label | Tail Code | | aircraft_electronic | EA-1E/F Skyraider (1959-1968) EKA-3B Skywarrior (1968-1975 EA-6B Prowler(1975-2011) EA-18G Growler(2011-Present) | ::

| unit_name = Electronic Attack Squadron 130 | native_name = | image = VAQ-130 Emblem.svg | image_size = | caption = | dates = 1 September 1959 - Present () | country = | branch = | type = Electronic Attack | role = Electronic Warfare | size = | command_structure = [[File:CVW-3 Emblem.svg | garrison = [[File:NAS Whidbey Island Emblem.svg | garrison_label = | nickname = Zappers | patron = | motto = "Zap Zap, Dominate", "Fly Fast, Talk Trash, E.A." | colors = | colors_label = | march = | mascot = Robbie the Dragon | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Provide Promise Operation Southern Watch Operation Deny Flight Operation Deliberate Force Operation Deliberate Guard Operation Desert Fox Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Majestic Eagle Operation Enduring Freedom Operation New Dawn Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Prosperity Guardian 2024 missile strikes in Yemen Operation Absolute Resolve | battles_label = | decorations = Safety "S" (4) Battle "E" (3) Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award (2) Prowler Squadron of the Year Award (3) Association of Old Crows- Outstanding Unit Award

| battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | flying_hours = | website = https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-130/ | commander1 = CDR. Timothy "Puddy" Warburton | commander1_label = Commanding Officer | commander2 = CDR. | commander2_label = Executive Officer | commander3 = CMDCM. Frank H. Wilson Jr. | commander3_label = Command Master Chief | notable_commanders = | identification_symbol = ZAPPER | identification_symbol_label = Callsign | identification_symbol_2 = 5XX | identification_symbol_2_label = Modex | identification_symbol_3 = AC | identification_symbol_3_label = Tail Code | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = EA-1E/F Skyraider (1959-1968) EKA-3B Skywarrior (1968-1975 EA-6B Prowler(1975-2011) EA-18G Growler(2011-Present)

| aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_helicopter = | aircraft_helicopter_attack = | aircraft_helicopter_cargo = | aircraft_helicopter_multirole = | aircraft_helicopter_observation = | aircraft_helicopter_trainer = | aircraft_helicopter_utility = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = | aircraft_tanker = | aircraft_general =

Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), also known as the "Zappers", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Carrier Air Wing 3, the Zappers deploy aboard the aircraft carrier . VAQ-130 is the oldest electronic warfare squadron in the U.S. Navy.

Squadron history

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Douglas_EA-1F_Skyraider_of_VAW-13_in_flight,_circa_in_1966.jpg" caption="EA-1F]] in 1966"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/EKA-3B_VAW-13_at_NAS_Alameda_1968.jpeg" caption="EKA-3B]] at [[NAS Alameda]] in 1968"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Grumman_EA-6B_158542_Nimitz_05.09.75_edited-3.jpg" caption="6}} in 1975"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/EA-18G_Growler_of_VAQ-130_is_launched_from_USS_Dwight_D.Eisenhower(CVN-69)in_the_Arabian_Sea_on_23_March_2020(200323-N-FS190-1015).JPG" caption="6}} in 2020"] ::

VAW-13

The squadron was originally commissioned as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Thirteen (VAW-13) flying AD-5Qs in 1959.

During the Vietnam War detachments from VAW-13 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:

  • 6 March-23 November 1965, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 5 April-16 December 1965, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 21 April 1965 – 13 January 1966, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 12 May-3 December 1966, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 21 June 1966 – 21 February 1967, Detachment 42, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31, EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
  • 29 April-4 December 1967, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Constellation
  • 16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 29 July 1967 – 6 April 1968, Detachment, EA-1Fs were embarked on
  • 4 November 1967 – 25 May 1968, Detachment 61, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 3 January-18 July 1968, Detachment 65, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 27 January-10 October 1968, Detachment 31, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
  • 10 April-16 December 1968, Detachment 66, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 29 May 1968 – 21 January 1969, Detachment 64, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation
  • 18 July 1968 – 3 March 1969, Detachment 19, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 7 September 1968 – 18 April 1969, Detachment 43, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea

VAQ-130

On 1 October 1968, the squadron was re-designated Electronic Attack Squadron 130 and placed under Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing Thirteen (VAQW-13).

VAQ-130 detachments continued to deploy in support of the Vietnam War as follows:

  • 26 October 1968 – 17 May 1969, Detachment 61, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
  • 1 February-18 September 1969, Detachment 14, EKA-3Bs were embarked on
  • 18 March-29 October 1968, Detachment 31, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
  • 14 April-17 November 1969, Detachment 34, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
  • 2 April-12 November 1970, Detachment 31, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
  • 14 May-10 December 1970, Detachment 1, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
  • 16 April-6 November 1971, Detachment 2, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Midway
  • 14 May-10 December 1971, Detachment 3, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
  • 11 June 1971 – 12 February 1972, Detachment 4, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
  • 1 October 1971 – 30 June 1972, Detachment 1, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation
  • 10 April 1972 – 3 March 1973, Detachment 2, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Midway
  • 5 June 1972 – 30 March 1973, Detachment 3, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
  • 16 November 1973 – 23 June 1973, Detachment 4, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
  • 18 October 1973 – 5 June 1974, Detachment 3, EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany

In March 1975, the squadron relocated to their current homeport of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler.

In December 2010, the squadron returned from their last fleet deployment flying the EA-6B Prowler and began transition training in March 2011 to the EA-18G Growler; the "Zappers" completed transition training in November 2011. The squadron deployed aboard in July 2013 following a year-long work-up cycle.

In 2017, two naval aviators attached to VAQ-130 were disciplined for drawing a phallus in the sky over Okanogan County, Washington.

In August 2020, the squadron returns from its 206-day deployment aboard , earning the Iron Shellback status for crossing the line after 100 days without hitting a port. The deployment broke the record for longest deployment without hitting a port, breaking the last record holder to with 160 consecutive days.

In October 2023, VAQ-130 began a combat deployment within Air Wing Three onboard USS Eisenhower. The deployment focused heavily within the CENTCOM AOR. For the majority of the deployment, VAQ-130 operated off the deck of the Eisenhower while in the Red Sea, with some operations conducted from US land bases in theater. Extensive combat operations were conducted by VAQ-130 against Houthi-Iranian military units in Yemen.

During the deployment, the "Zappers" destroyed a Houthi-Iranian Mi-24/35 Hind helicopter on the ground, while conducting strikes in Yemen. VAQ-130 was heavily involved in defensive and offensive operations against Houthi-Iranian attacks against international shipping lanes and Israel.

On October 15, 2024, an EA-18G Growler assigned to VAQ-130 "Zappers" crashed near Mt. Rainer in Washington. The wreckage was found the following day, and the remains of the crew were found five days later. The aircraft crew members were identified as Lieutenant Serena Wileman, USN Naval Aviator and Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay Evans, USN Naval Flight Officer. They were both 31 years of age. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

VAQ-130 participated in the action resulting in the 2026 Capture of Nicolás Maduro, where it may have suppressed Venezuelan S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, according to the Wall Street Journal.

References

References

  1. "History".
  2. "Military Radio Callsign List".
  3. "Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers".
  4. "Aerospaceweb.org {{!}} Ask Us - US Navy & Marine Corps Tail Codes".
  5. "VAW-13 Zappers Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Navy".
  6. "VAQ-130 Zappers Electronic Attack Squadron EA-18G Growler".
  7. (December 2017). "Navy Hands Down Ballsy Punishment to Cocksure Aviators Behind Giant Sky Penis".
  8. (6 June 2024). "EA-18G Growler Killed A Houthi Mi-24 Hind With An AGM-88E Anti-Radiation Missile". The War Zone.
  9. Staff, MyNorthwest. (2024-10-20). "US Navy confirms 2 crewmembers aboard crashed jet have died".
  10. MacDonald, Alistair. (January 6, 2026). "The 'Growler' Signal-Jamming Jet That Helped Capture Nicolás Maduro". Wall Street Journal.

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