On August 24, 2009 I visited NAS Whidbey Island, in Washington state. This large base is home to a number of US Navy squadrons and in particular is the first location of the Navy’s latest electronics warfare aircraft, the Boeing EF-18G Growler, operated by VAQ-129 Vikings, the Fleet Replacement Squadron as they transition crews from the Grumman EA-6B Prowler to the EF-18G.
Other tenant Electronic Attack Squadrons operating the EA-6B are:
- VAQ-130 Zappers
- VAQ-131 Lancers
- VAQ-132 Scorpions
- VAQ-133 Wizards
- VAQ-134 Garudas
- VAQ-135 Black Ravens
- VAQ-136 Gauntlets
- VAQ-137 Rooks
- VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets
- VAQ-139 Cougars
- VAQ-140 Patriots
- VAQ-141 Shadow Hawks
- VAQ-142 Gray Wolves
Among the other aircraft types operating from NAS Whidbey Island are:
Lockheed P3C Orion operated by Maritime Patrol Squadrons:
- VP-1 Screaming Eagles
- VP-40 Fighting Marlins
- VP-46 Grey Knights
- VP-69 Fighting Totems
Lockheed EP-3E Aries operated by Fleet Air Reconnaisance Squadrons:
- VQ-1 World Watchers
- VQ-2 Rangers
McDonnell-Douglas C9B/DC-9-33 operated by Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VR-61 Islanders
Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk operated by NAS Whidbey Island Search and Rescue
I would like to acknowledge the following people for their assistance in making this base visit possible:
- Commander Charles W Brown, US Navy
- Lieutenant Glenn Sircy, US Navy
- Ms Kimberley Martin, PAO NAS Whidbey Island
- Mr Tony Popp, PAO NAS Whidbey Island
