VAQ-132

SQUADRON HISTORY

(as of August 1981)

Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron ONE THIRTY TWO was originally designated Patrol Squadron TWENTY NINE flying P-2V Neptunes. In April 1957, the squadron was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron TWO and transitioned to the A-3D "Skywarrior." In November 1968 it was again redesignated, becoming Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron ONE THIRTY TWO (VAQ-132). Flying EKA-3B's, homeported at Naval Air Station, Alameda, California the squadron was tasked with the dual mission of electronic countermeasures and inflight refueling.

From January 1969 to December 1970, VAQ-132 completed work-ups with USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65) and eventually made a combat cruise with USS AMERICA (CVA 66), homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

On 15 January 1971 a new chapter in the history of VAQ-132 began as the squadron transitioned to the new EA-6B "Prowler" aircraft at NAS Whidbey Island. In April 1972, the Scorpions departed for WESTPAC as part of Attack Carrier Air Wing EIGHT aboard USS AMERICA (CVA 66). As the first EA-6B squadron to deploy, the VAQ-132 "Prowlers" flew electronic countermeasures support flights from six different aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin; the first being flown on 12 July 1972 in support of USS SARATOGA (CVA 60). VAQ-132 returned home to NAS Whidbey Island in March 1973. It immediately began transitioning to the expanded capabilities version of the EA-6B. On 19 July 1974, VAQ-132 deployed aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62) for a six month cruise to the Mediterranean as part of Air Wing SEVEN, returning in January of 1975. After an eight month turnaround, the Scorpions again departed Norfolk, on 15 October 1975, for their second Mediterranean deployment aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62) with CVW-7.

CV-64 Home Page VAQ-132 was next assigned as a member of Carrier Air Wing NINE onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). During the cruise, VAQ-132 completed seven consecutive years of accident free operations. Returning home in November 1977, the Scorpions completed their fourth EA-6B deployment. The Scorpions commenced their fifth EA-6B deployment on 26 September 1978 onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). Nearing the end of the cruise, USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) was ordered to the Indian Ocean by President Carter when Middle East tension reached a crisis.

CVN-69 Home Page During the subsequent turnaround cycle the Scorpions transitioned to the improved capabilities version of the EA-6B at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, and successfully reached nine years of accident free EA-6B flying. Work-ups for the next cruise began with Carrier Air Wing NINE and USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) in September 1979. In November the squadron's assignment was changed and work-ups began with Carrier Air Wing SEVEN for deployment aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). This cruise lasted eight months, of which 249 days were spent at sea. Since returning to NAS Whidbey, the squadron has participated in various land-based exercises, and is now in the midst of a new workup cycle with Ike and CVW-7.