EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-132 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) – December 2004
Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132), the “Scorpions”, is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler. The squadron’s radio callsign is “Scorp”.
History
Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 can trace its history all the way back to Patrol Squadron 911 (VP-911, later VP-29), established in 1946.
VP-29 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 911 (VP-911) on 6 July 1946, redesignated Medium Patrol Squadron (Landplane) 61 (VP-ML-61) on 15th November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron 812 (VP-812) in February 1950, redesignated Patrol Squadron 29 (VP-29) on 27th August 1952 and disestablished on 1st November 1955. It was the second squadron to be designated VP-29, the first VP-29 was disestablished on 18th January 1950
Operational history
- 6th July 1946: VP-911 was established at NAS Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a reserve training squadron, flying PV-2 Harpoons and PBY-5A/6A Catalinas. The squadron aircraft allowance was nine aircraft, but seldom exceeded more than seven operational aircraft.
- 20th July 1950: The squadron was called to active duty along with 13 other Reserve squadrons as a result of the outbreak of the Korean War on 25th June 1950. The squadron remained at NAS Minneapolis until orders were received to transfer to a new home port at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
A radar-equipped PBY-5A from VP-6(CG) over Greenland, in 1945
- 31st July – October 1950: VP-812 settled into its new home port at NAS Whidbey Island and began training for transition to the new P2V-2 Neptune patrol bomber. By October 1950 the squadron had received nine new aircraft from the factory.
- 8th November 1950: VP-812 deployed on its first operational assignment since its recall to active duty, arriving at NAS Kodiak, Alaska, with nine P2V-2s.
- 27th September 1952: The squadron deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan, providing patrol sector coverage in the Sea of Japan and along the coasts of Korea in support of UN forces.
- January – April 1953: The squadron was classified under “Patrol Squadrons, Mining,” reflecting a specialty practiced by only three other Pacific Fleet squadrons (VPs 4, 9 and 19).
- 5th April 1953: The squadron returned to NAS Whidbey Island after completing over 500 combat missions in Korea during a six-month deployment, averaging 40 missions per crew, 500 hours per crewman.
- 1st November 1955: VP-29 was disestablished at NAS Whidbey Island, with assets and personnel utilized to form Heavy Attack Squadron 2 (VAH-2).
PV-2 Harpoon at the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 2009
VAH-2
In November 1955, VP-29 personnel formed the nucleus of the squadron Heavy Attack Squadron Two (VAH-2) “Royal Rampants” and transitioned to the A3D Skywarrior and changed its homeport the following year to NAS Whidbey Island.
VAH-2 Douglas A-3 Skywarrior on USS Ranger in 1965
During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-2 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:
- 5th August 1964 – 6th May 1965, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
- 7th December 1964 – 1st November 1965, A-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
- 10th December 1965 – 25th August 1966, Detachment F A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
- 29th July 1966 – 23rd February 1967, Detachment A A-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
- 19th November 1966 – 6th July 1967, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
- 26th July 1967 – 6th April 1968, KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral Sea
- 4th November 1967 – 25th May 1968, Detachment 61 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger
- 3rd January-18th July 1968, Detachment 65 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
- 29th May 1968 – 31st January 1969, Detachment 64 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation
KA-3B Skywarrior (VAQ-132 / CVW-9) embarked on USS America (CVA 66) – July 1970
Electromagnetic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132), the “Scorpions”
In November 1968, VAH-2 was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) and transitioned to the EKA-3B. In January 1971, they received the EA-6B Prowler and became the first operational squadron to transition to the new aircraft.
On 7th November 2008, VAQ-132 held their ceremonial last flight in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler and began the transition to the brand-new, Boeing EA-18G Growler in February 2009 with flight certification in mid-2009. Initial operational capability (IOC) was achieved on 22nd September 2009, making them the first operational EA-18G squadron.
EA-18G Growler (VAQ-132) during exercise Red Flag 21-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada – January 2021
On 5th August 2009, EA-18Gs from VAQ-132 and Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing (trap) aboard USS Harry S. Truman.
The United States Navy’s new Boeing EA-18G Growler ( “Grizzly” ) was first used in combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn by supporting efforts to enforce a UN no-fly-zone over Libya. The five EA-18Gs of VAQ-132 “Scorpions” were redeployed from Al’ Asad Air Base, Iraq to Aviano Air Base, Italy to support Libya operations.
An EA-18G of VAQ-132 in 2009
VAQ-132 Scorpions 1/72nd scale models available from Flying Tigers.
Check out the following VAQ-132 Scorpions models that are available to pre-order now from Flying Tigers. Please click on the images/links below to go straight to the model page to order yours now. 
Hobbymaster models due to arrive next week at Flying Tigers.
The following Hobbymaster models are arriving next week and can be pre-ordered at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
HA8810 Hobbymaster 1/48th scale Japanese A6M2 Zero Type 21 EII-102, PO 1st Class Testsuzo Iwamoto, Carrier Zuikaku, Dec 1941 “Pearl Harbour” Sorry Sold Out at Pre-order Stage
Hobbymaster Latest Model Announcements.
Check out the latest Hobbymaster models which are now available to pre-order at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
Hobbymaster updated photo gallery.
Check out the latest HM photos below. Please click on the images or links to go straight to the model page to order your model now.
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Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.
