The Gauntlets of VAQ 136 excelled during pre-deployment combat training at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev., in May and on board the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) off the coast of Southern California in June and July.
The Gauntlets fly the world’s premier electronic attack aircraft from the finest base with the best support community in the U.S. Navy, and thanks to the abundance of local airspace, VAQ-136 was able to realistically conduct electronic warfare training in the Olympic, Okanogan and Roosevelt Military Operations Areas prior to their integrated training in Fallon. This local training was vital to the Gauntlets’ success during follow-on combat training. Without the support of the community and the ability to use local airspace and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville, the squadron would not be ready for its upcoming September deployment.
The Gauntlets were the first electronic attack squadron to utilize newly-developed tactics by maximizing the unique capabilities of the EA-18G Growler. These tactics, developed by the Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons School at the Naval Air Warfare Development Center in Fallon, were specifically designed to disable air defenses and obliterate the enemy’s ability to defend against overwhelming naval air power.
On multiple large-force strike missions during the Electronic Warfare Advanced Readiness Program, VAQ-136 demonstrated the immense capabilities of the Growler. VAQ-136 began their training cycle in March when they were evaluated by instructors from the Electronic Attack Weapons School at NAS Whidbey Island. In May, VAQ-136 introduced the new tactics to their war-fighting team, Carrier Air Wing Two, which is comprised of multiple squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F/A-18C Hornets, SH-60 Seahawk helicopters and E-2 Hawkeyes.
With the lessons learned in Fallon, VAQ-136 went to sea for Tailored Ship’s Training Availability with Carrier Air Wing Two and put their newly refined skills to the test as one fluid combat team. Being the first squadron to use the new tactics proved to be a welcome challenge and eye-opening experience for the air wing.
“It’s great to see the community finally reaching its full potential,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Ales, VAQ-136 training and operations officer, who summed up the Growler’s remarkable transformation.
The previous tactics had been used for years but were optimized for the older EA-6B Prowler, now retired from the U.S. Navy. Throughout the training cycle, VAQ-136 received enthusiastic support from the Commander, Carrier Air Wing Two, Capt. Jeffrey J. Czerewko, a former A-6 Intruder pilot and current F/A-18 Strike Fighter pilot, in expanding the tactical role and capabilities of the VAQ wing. The Commanding Officer of VAQ-136, Cmdr. Christopher Hunter, aggressively led from the front and was the first to command an entire strike package at sea using the new tactics during a remarkable opportunity to excel with Lt. Cmdr. Ales commanding the second.
In large part, the success of the squadron and its war-fighting spirit, known among Gauntlets as “Team Ironclaw”, was due to the maintenance, administrative, intelligence, safety, and information technology support teams that made the tactical successes possible. Across the squadron, VAQ-136 saw many bright stars shine.
Specifically, three chief petty officers promoted to senior chief petty officer, four commissioned officers promoted, and 19 enlisted Sailors advanced in rate. Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Chelsea Stratton of Hebron, Ky., and Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Matthew McCoppin of Butler, Penn., were also promoted under the Navy’s Meritorious Advancement Program. Impressively, 12 Sailors earned their Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist pins.
The success of Team Ironclaw was a testament to the pride that Gauntlets have in their work and constant passion to complete the mission of full spectrum dominance in electronic warfare.
Along with the advancements, the Gauntlets earned several awards for exceptional individual contributions to the combat team. Airman Nyja Foskey of Greenville, N.C., was recognized as the Sailor of the Day by the Commanding Officer of USS Ronald Reagan, Capt. Christopher Bolt, for her extensive work as one of the senior plane captains in VAQ-136.
The Gauntlets also named new Sailors of the Quarter for Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2015. Sailors of the Quarter were: Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Elgin Light of Fresno, Calif.,; Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class Adam Seelnacht of Portland, Ind.,; Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Ramsey Bender of Evansville, Ind.,; Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman Matthew Flavan of Godbrey, Ill.,; and Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Joshua Fulks of Olympia, Wash.
Lastly, the Gauntlets qualified six new plane captains: Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Joaquin Funetes, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jacob Huskins, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Scott Staal, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Sean Foss, Airman Zachary Neubauer and Airman Marion Deguzman.
Overall, this was a banner summer for the Gauntlets. The entire squadron learned an immeasurable amount about itself and simultaneously revealed to the entire air wing the unique capabilities that will dominate the electronic warfare battlespace for decades to come at NAS Whidbey Island and around the world. VAQ-136 set the bar for future tactical development, demonstrated the phenomenal capabilities of the Growler airframe, and showcased the best of Team Ironclaw. The airborne electronic attack community is in high demand across the globe, and all Growler squadrons and their families are grateful to call Whidbey Island their home.
