By Lt. Taylor Richmond

VAQ-139 Public Affairs Officer

The Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) recently said goodbye to friends and family as they set sail aboard the USS Carl Vinson for their inaugural EA-18G combat cruise.
Following the transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler in 2012, the sailors and aircrew of about 180 personnel worked tirelessly preparing for this moment. Electronic Attack Wing Commodore Capt. Daryl Walker recognized their achievements during the 2014 Airborne Electronic Attack awards ceremony.
Lt. Cmdr. Kristen Levasseur was awarded the ALQ-99 Tactical Excellence Award for her dedication to training and the effective employment of the ALQ-99 tactical jamming system.
“I am honored to be a part of our exceptional VAQ community,” Levasseur said. “It amazes me daily how far we have come to establish the EA-18G Growler as the Joint Forces’ premier asset. The future of electronic attack has no limits and I look forward to expanding our tactical and technical capabilities alongside the talented men and women of VAQ.”
Lt. Sean Noronha, an up-and-coming pilot in VAQ-139, was recognized by VAQ-129 as the Fleet Replacement Pilot of the Year.
“I am truly honored to have been picked among the exceptional pilots that this community has in its ranks,” Noronha said. “I can’t thank the instructors of VAQ-129 enough for spending countless hours training us to employ the EA-18G.”
Squadron sailors such as Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Jeremy Alberta are dedicated professionals who take pride in the jets they maintain. He was recognized as Aviation Electronics Technician of the Year in the maintenance department. Although he transferred recently, his tenure will have a lasting impact on the squadron.
Cougar maintenance was awarded the “Golden Wrench” for VAQ Maintenance Squadron of the Year. Lt. Cmdr. Brian Baumgaertner, VAQ-139 Maintenance Officer, insisted the credit go to the Sailors who work around the clock to keep Cougar jets in pristine condition.
“Guest aircrew from the Electronic Attack Wing and Carrier Air Wing 17 frequently comment on the superb condition of our jets when they fly with us,” Baumgaertner said. “It’s great to see the Sailors of VAQ-139 get recognized for their hard work.”
The Cougars are confident that they have the right people and the right training to safely and effectively conduct combat operations at sea. Cmdr. William Fraser, VAQ-139 Commanding Officer, believes that the achievements his squadron achieved at home reflect how the squadron will perform during combat operations.
“The sailors and aircrew recognized during the annual Electronic Attack Awards Ceremony represent how we do business in VAQ-139,” Fraser said. “I am confident that this group of people will conquer any challenge we face on deployment.”