Commanding Officer
VAQ-130
3760 N Charles Porter Ave
Oak Harbor, WA 98278-6414
Squadron Duty (360) 257-8041
Admin Office (360) 257-8091
OMBUDSMAN (360) 499-3873
Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Zero is the oldest electronic warfare squadron in the United
States Navy. VAQ-130 adopted the nickname "Zappers" and the Zapper
Dragon insignia when the squadron was originally commissioned as
Carrier Early Warning Squadron THIRTEEN (VAW-13) flying AD-5Qs in
1959. On 1 October 1968, the command was re-designated VAQ-130 and
placed under the operational control of Tactical Electronic Warfare
Wing THIRTEEN (VAQW 13). After commissioning, the squadron supplied
support detachments aboard all Pacific and Atlantic aircraft
carriers. These detachments, flying the EAK-3B Skywarrior aircraft,
provided sea and shore based forces with electronic countermeasures
(ECM) and air-to-air refueling capabilities.
In March 1975, VAQ-130 was re-stationed at NAS Whidbey Island,
Washington and transitioned to the EA-6B "Prowler" aircraft. In June
of the same year, VAQ-130 joined Carrier Air Wing EIGHT aboard the
USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) for a three and one-half month cruise to the
Caribbean and North Atlantic where the Zappers were part of Nuclear
Task Group SEVEN FIVE, formed to demonstrate the capability of the
nuclear Navy to NATO allies. Because of the limited number of EA-6B
squadrons in the Navy at the time, the Zappers, unlike most naval
aviation squadrons, were assigned to a variety of carrier air wings
and deployed on several different carriers, including the NIMITZ,
FORRESTAL, INDEPENDENCE, and KITTY HAWK.
In 1977, VAQ-130 transitioned to the Improved Capability (ICAP)
version of the EA-6B, bringing more sophisticated electronic warfare
capabilities. In 1978, the squadron received the Chief of Naval
Operations (CNO) Safety "S" Award after six years of mishap free
flying.
In 1986, the Zappers completed transition to the Improved Capability
II (ICAP II) version of the aircraft, which incorporated the ALQ-99
Tactical Jamming System and integrated the High-Speed Anti-Radiation
Missile (HARM). The squadron deployed on an around-the-world cruise
as part of Carrier Air Wing NINE aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63),
in July 1987. In August 1987, VAQ-130 joined Carrier Air Wing THREE
aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and deployed on their first
Mediterranean cruise from August 1988 to February 1989. In 1988, the
Zappers again won the Safety "S" Award.
In January 1990, the Zappers deployed for seven weeks to the
Caribbean Sea for WESTLANT '90, a mini-cruise for drug interdiction
support. Later in August 1990, the squadron transitioned to the
Block 86 version of ICAP II aircraft and accepted an additional
aircraft to become a five-plane squadron. The squadron then
immediately deployed on board USS JOHN F. KENNEDY to the Red Sea in
support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, where it became the
first prowler squadron to fire a HARM in combat. Subsequently,
VAQ-130 was awarded the CNO Safety "S,” COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E,"
and the Admiral Arthur W. Radford award for 1990.
The Zappers deployed again to the Mediterranean in October 1992 in
support of Operation PROVIDE PROMISE and the humanitarian relief
efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In June of 1993, the Zappers became
the first U.S. Navy combat unit to have women assigned.
In October 1994, the Zappers deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE
aboard the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69). After a brief stint in the
Arabian Sea in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, the Zappers
participated in Operation DENY FLIGHT. During that deployment, the
Zappers conducted three shore detachments to Aviano AB, Italy, to
help provide continuous electronic warfare support to NATO and
United Nations aircraft.
In August 1995, the Zappers departed early from an exercise to
return to Operation DENY FLIGHT with two aircraft to augment the
VAQ-141 Shadowhawks. By the end of August 1995, the Zappers were
flying around the clock as part of Operation DELIBERATE FORCE's SEAD
campaign. Due to the scale of the air strikes - the largest in
NATO's history - the remaining Zapper aircraft and personnel were
deployed to Aviano in September. After supporting Operations
DELIBERATE FORCE and DENY FLIGHT, the Zappers returned to Whidbey
Island in October 1995.
The Zappers deployed again with Carrier Air Wing THREE to the
Mediterranean in November 1996, this time aboard USS THEODORE
ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). After routine operations in the Western
Mediterranean, CVW 3 provided support to Operation DELIBERATE GUARD
from the Adriatic Sea. They then transited the Suez Canal to support
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. In 1996, VAQ-130 won the COMNAVAIRLANT
Battle "E" award and the 1997 Prowler Squadron of the Year Award for
Tactical Excellence.
After returning from deployment in May 1997, CVW 3 transitioned to
the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). In January 1998, VAQ-130 was officially
redesignated as Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE ZERO (VAQ-130).
The Zappers again earned the 1998 Prowler Squadron of the Year Award
for Tactical Excellence, winning that award for the second
consecutive year. They also won the Association of Old Crows
Outstanding Unit Award for 1998. In November 1998, the Zappers
deployed aboard ENTERPRISE for a six-month cruise to the
Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations DESERT
FOX and SOUTHERN WATCH.
In November 2000, VAQ-130 and CVW 3 deployed aboard USS HARRY S.
TRUMAN (CVN 75) on her maiden deployment. After a short stay in the
Mediterranean, they arrived in the Arabian Gulf in January 2001 to
support Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
In December 2002, the Zappers again deployed with CVW 3 on board CVN
75, this time in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During this
six-month deployment, the Zappers fired more than 35 HARM missiles
in direct support of air strikes, and were awarded the COMNAVAIRLANT
Battle “E”, CNO Safety “S” and the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award
for being the top EA-6B squadron in 2003.
The Zappers again deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on
board CVN 75 in October 2004. CVW 3 was the first air wing to
participate in the new Fleet Readiness Program (FRP) from beginning
to end of an entire deployment cycle. In the summer of 2004, the
squadron participated in a "surge" deployment to help validate the
FRP. This surge supported Operation MAJESTIC EAGLE off the coast of
Morocco. After their return, the Zappers were awarded the 2005
Prowler of the Year Tactical Excellence Award.
In June of 2006, the Zappers left Whidbey Island for a three-month
deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan to support PACOM contingency
operations. VAQ-130 integrated with MAG-12 squadrons to include
VMFA-212, VMA-311 and VFA-97 during Unit Level Training and Large
Force Group Strike exercises in Okinawa, Japan. The squadron
supported Exercise Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) with seven aircrew TAD to
three separate locations in Japan and South Korea.
In November 2007, the Zappers deployed on CVN 75 once again, making
a port call in Naples, Italy en route to the Arabian Gulf. While
supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and other U.S. Central Command
objectives in the Arabian Gulf, the Zappers made several port calls
to Dubai, UAE. On the transit home, the Zappers visited Rhodes,
Greece and Marseilles, France before returning to Whidbey Island
after seven months. The squadron currently flies the ICAP II Block
89A (Night Vision Device Capable) Prowler aircraft.
In June, 2008 the Zappers completed a 7-month deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and returned to their home station at NAS Whidbey Island. Shortly thereafter, in September, the Zappers supported VAQ-132 in one of their final detachments as a Prowler squadron for RED FLAG at Nellis AFB. Shortly after, the Zappers completed a carrier qualification detachment supporting VAQ-129 on the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) off the coast of southern California.
VAQ-130 started their arduous work-up cycle in February of 2009 with EWARP in Fallon, NV, followed by two detachments, SFARP and COMTUEX off the east coast on board the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in April and June, respectively. From late July to late August 2009, the Zappers executed a detachment to NAS Fallon, NV in preparation for their 2010 deployment. In September 2009 the Zappers traveled to Norfolk, VA, participating in Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) on board USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). The Zappers returned to the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) on November 21, 2009 to re-qualify five pilots for day and night carrier operations. On December 5, 2009, the Zappers attended a two week Air Wing Fallon SUSTAINEX, conducting large force exercises and designating two squadron members as EA-6B mission commanders.
In May 21, 2010, the Zappers deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). The Zappers spent five months on station in the North Arabian Sea supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in the skies of Afghanistan. In October, the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN handed over ENDURING FREEDOM to Carrier Air Wing TWO and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and transited to the Arabian Gulf to support Operation NEW DAWN. In November, Carrier Air Wing THREE transited back to the Arabian Sea, conducted two weeks of combat operations in support of ENDURING FREEDOM, and then began the transit back to Norfolk, VA on November 23rd, 2010. The Zappers returned home to NAS Whidbey Island on December 20, 2010.
In mid February 2011, the Zappers began sending personnel TAD to NAS Lemoore, CA, and also schools at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) for transition training to the EA-18G "Growler" aircraft. Aircrew from the Zappers began syllabus flight training on March 7, 2011. The Zappers completed their transition to the EA-18G in February 2012 and then obtained their Safety of Flight in 2012.
In July 2013, the Zappers deployed again with Carrier Air Wing THREE aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), marking the first deployment with the Growler. The Zappers supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for 7 months while in the Gulf of Oman. During that deployment in December 2013 through January 2014, the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) and CVW-3 participated in a joint exercise with the CHARLES DE GAULLE, the French Navy's only aircraft carrier conducting joint flight operations. In March 2014, the Zappers departed Fifth Fleet and returned to NAS Whidbey Island on April 17, 2014.
VAW-13
LCDR H. N. KRISZAMER
01 SEP 59 – 15 FEB 60
CDR E. N. HITCHCOCK, JR.
15 FEB 60 – 31 JAN 61
CDR R. R. YOUNT
31 JAN 61 – 09 FEB 62
CDR J. E. PETERSON
09 FEB 62 – 19 SEP 62
CDR A. F. CLAPP
19 SEP 62 – 27 AUG 63
CDR T. D. QUINN
27 AUG 63 – 01 SEP 64
CDR G. F. PEOPLES
01 SEP 64 – 23 AUG 65
CDR C. LEWIS
23 AUG 65 – 05 JUL 66
CDR L. F. GALYEAN
05 JUL 66 – 11 AUG 67
CDR C. R. MACDOWELL
11 AUG 67 – 12 JUL 68
VAQ-130
CDR W. B. NEVIUS
12 JUL 68 – 11 JUL 69
CDR R. L. HUTH
11 JUL 69 – 12 JUN 70
CDR C. L. MCGATHY
12 JUN 70 – 09 JUL 71
CDR F. L. BOTTENBURG
09 JUL 71 – 28 APR 72
CDR W. E. DENNISON
28 APR 72 – 29 JUN 73
CDR P. E. BOVEY
29 JUN 73 – 21 JUN 74
CDR J. F. BURKEL
21 JUN 74 – 07 JAN 76
CDR D. R. HERMAN
07 JAN 76 – 29 APR 77
CDR P. S. FERRENTINO
29 APR 77 – 14 JUL 78
CDR C. E. GUDMONSON
14 JUL 78 – 29 OCT 79
CDR J. C. HODELL
29 OCT 79 – 19 DEC 80
CDR D. E. SEHLIN
19 DEC 80 – 19 FEB 82
CDR D. E. ECHLIN
19 FEB 82 – 05 AUG 83
CDR S. E. JUDD
05 AUG 83 – 08 FEB 85
CDR R. E. BARATKO
08 FEB 85 – 16 JUL 86
CDR J. P. DINGER
16 JUL 86 – 10 FEB 88
CDR P. L. SOWA
10 FEB 88 – 14 JUL 89
CDR R. A. PIERCE
14 JUL 89 – 17 FEB 91
CDR J. F. LEMEN
17 FEB 91 – 01 MAY 92
CDR W. J. LUTI
01 MAY 92 – 18 JUN 93
CDR J. D. COULSON
18 JUN 93 – 01 SEP 94
CDR R. C. RICE
01 SEP 94 – 01 DEC 95
CDR J. . FLYNN
01 DEC 95 – 13 FEB 97
CDR M. W. ACKERMAN
13 FEB 97 – 13 MAY 98
CDR W. J. CLARK
13 MAY 98 – 05 AUG 99
CDR J. P. SHERMAN
05 AUG 99 – 21 NOV 00
CDR F. R. MCCULLOCH
21 NOV 00 – 13 FEB 02
CDR T. J. PAYNE
13 FEB 02 – 19 JUN 03
CDR W. L. LAWLER,JR.
19 JUN 03 – 04 SEP 04
CDR T. A. SLAIS, JR.
04 SEP 04 – 22 SEP 05
CDR K. K. LEE
22 SEP 05 – 21 DEC 06
CDR J. D. MACTAVISH
21 DEC 06 - 22 MAR 08
CDR S. D. MORAN
22 MAR 08 - 28 MAY 09
CDR J. L. HAMMER
28 MAY 09 - 12 AUG 10
CDR R. A. COUGHLIN
12 AUG 10 - 18 NOV 11
CDR R. A. VACCARO
18 NOV 11 - 14 MAR 13
CDR J. E. CHISM
14 MAR 13 - 26 JUN 14
CDR E. P. ILLSTON
26 JUN 14 - 18 AUG 15
CDR E. J. SINIBALDI
18 AUG 15 -