By Lt.j.g. Tara Palmer
VAQ-139 Public Affairs

The Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron 139 (VAQ-139) participated in Valiant Shield 2014 off the coast of Guam in the Marianas Island Range Complex.
Valiant Shield is a U.S. biennial field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces.
This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.
Participants included two aircraft carriers, 19 surface ships, more than 200 aircraft and an estimated 18,000 personnel from the U.S Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army.
VAQ-139 maintenance personnel led by Lt. Cmdr. Brian Baumgaertner and Master Chief Avionics Technician Bobby Gore provided fully mission capable EA-18G aircraft and weapon systems for 61 sorties over nine days, completing 100 percent of required tasking.
After diligently working through Valiant Shield and enduring more than a month under way, the Cougars earned their first port call to Singapore on Oct. 2.
For Airman Apprentice James Welk and Airman Dontavious Johnson, this was the first port visit in the Navy. Welk enjoyed zip lining at Sentosa Island while Johnson took a boat cruise around Singapore and learned about Singapore’s history.
Some Sailors, such as Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer Eckerle, relaxed and enjoyed the opportunity to video chat with loved ones back home.
Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Robert Linsley had been to Singapore five times and chose to volunteer during this port visit.
He participated in a community relations project with Singapore’s “Willing Heart Soup Kitchen.”
The soup kitchen provides more than 4,000 meals to the needy seven days a week. The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) team helped prepare more than 5,000 meals during the port call.
“I loved it,” Linsley said about the experience.
Singapore was a great opportunity to see a different culture and a unique part of the world. After a few days of relaxation the Cougars were back aboard the USS Carl Vinson for the transit to 5th Fleet.