By Lt. Jordan Kennedy
VAQ-136 reporter

For most folks, thoughts of the Florida Keys include palm trees and coconuts, diving and fishing in crystal blue waters, and entertaining nights on Duval Street. What most don’t realize is that Key West is also home to one of the Navy’s premier aerial combat facilities at Naval Air Station Boca Chica field and its surrounding operating areas.
Mostly used by the east coast Strike-Fighter Fleet Replacement Squadron, Carrier Air Wing Two was fortunate enough to take over the facility for the first two weeks of October to hone the air wing’s skills in air-to-air combat.
For the first time in the history of the recently transitioned Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) Gauntlets, they joined their strike-fighter brethren in developing their own air defense skills as they pertain to the Growler’s unique weapons suite and counter-tactics. The Gauntlets flew three aircraft and 36 maintainers from the farthest northwest corner of the continental United States to its southern most point just 90 miles north of Cuba; a total distance of more than 2,600 miles.
Once established in Key West, the squadron hit the ground running to execute a robust six-day a week schedule that would see the aircraft pushed through the full spectrum of their flight envelope.
Key West provided a rare opportunity for Gauntlet aircrew to execute the Growler Weapons and Tactics Program air-to-air counter tactic syllabus events in an over water range close to home base. Most ranges begin less than 20 miles from the air field, which allow aircrew to push fuel states to lower levels with less transit and consequently allowing more training that is critical in the graduate level syllabus.
In this permissive environment, VAQ-136 aircrew produced 11-level-three events as well as two-level-two events for some of the more recently acquired aircrew. Perhaps even more important, aircrew were able to continue to integrate into their newly adopted air wing and expose sister squadrons to the new capabilities that the Growler brings to the fight, as well as lean on the air combat expertise inherent in the strike-fighter community.
For maintainers, Key West provided both a unique and difficult task due to the small footprint of personnel and a robust six-day a week schedule. Maintainers and line personnel traded launching jets in the windy and rainy fall weather of Whidbey Island for sunny and 85 degree mornings followed by brief 10 minute pop-up thunder showers in the afternoon. Though only having enough maintainers to support a single shift led to long days supporting both morning and afternoon sorties, some troops noted that working on detachment in the Keys was distinctively gratifying.
According to Airman Michael Brown, a VAQ-136 Plane Captain, having a single shift made communication easier and the sunny weather of the Gulf made every day seem like a vacation.
Due to the hard work of maintenance personnel the Gauntlets had zero sorties lost for the duration of the detachment.
Though the detachment included long days and hot weather, Key West also provides a distinctive time after work to enjoy the standard tourist activities of boating and swimming during the day followed by the great nightlife of Duval Street. Many troops enjoyed the exclusive Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities located on the Keys, including military only beaches located on the Truman Annex.
Overall, the incredible drive the maintainers brought to Boca Chica and the robust training facilities surrounding the Keys enabled VAQ-136 to execute an overwhelmingly successful detachment.
“With the exceptional display of airmanship and professionalism that I saw from VAQ-136, I have 100 percent faith in the future of this community,” said Cmdr. Chris Hunter, Gauntlet executive officer.
Additionally aircrews brought back to the Growler community a much better understanding and knowledge of air-to-air counter tactics.