Cheers erupted from the crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon at Hangar 8 on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island as the Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 streaked across the sky.
Children squealed with delight and clapped their hands and spouses watched closely to catch the first glimpse their loved ones descending from the aircraft.
“This day could not come soon enough,” declared Ashley Drown, who was there with her children, Cassidy, 4, and Chase, 19-months, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband, Lt. Keith Drown.
The first wave of Cougars arrived home safely at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, after taking part in three major worldwide operations and a deployment of more than seven months aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).
In March, when the devastating tsunami hit Japan after a 9.0 earthquake of the Japanese coast, the aircraft carrier responded as part of Operation Tomodachi. VAQ-139 sailors created watch schedules that brought shipments of humanitarian aid from the USS Reagan to relief sites along Japan’s coast.
The squadron was constantly unloading helicopters and C-2 aircraft, moving supplies to support the humanitarian relief effort. Crews on the flight deck and hangar bay worked tirelessly to unload new cargo, organize, stage and load new shipments of food, water and medical supplies. Squadron aircrew maintained a constant watch in the Carrier Intelligence Center, coordinating helicopter deliveries of food, water and medical equipment. The carrier’s efforts were recognized by Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, John V. Roos, and may Japanese diplomats.
VAQ-139 also supported Operations New Daw and Enduring Freedom, flying 125 and 430 combat hours, respectively. Squadron electronic countermeasures officers joined with Marine Tactical Electronic Attack Squadron 4 in Afghanistan to fly combat missions, as both squadrons operate the Improved Capability III (ICAP) Block 4 in the EA-6B Prowler.
There was also time for the Cougars to relax during their deployment, with liberty port visits to Sasebo, Japan; Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Hong Kong, China; Naval Base Marianas, Guam; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
This was VAQ-139’s last deployment in the Prowler, as the squadron is scheduled to begin the transition to the EA-18G Growler shortly, training with the Fleet Replacement Squadron VAQ-129 shortly.
The remaining maintenance and support crew are scheduled to return to NAS Whidbey Island Friday afternoon. Also returning with the squadron are 18 members of the Sea Operational Detachment from Fleet Readiness Center Northwest, who provide technical support to keep the jets in top condition.
The Whidbey Crosswind will cover the homecoming and will have a complete report in the Sept. 16 edition.
