News
Electronic Attack Squadron 130

August 18, 2015, Commander Illston has been relieved by Commander Sinibaldi as the Commanding Officer of VAQ-130 during a change of command ceremony on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI).

June 26, 2014, Commander Chism has been relieved by Commander Illston as the Commanding Officer of VAQ-130 during a change of command ceremony on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI).

July 2013 - April 2014,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 in April of 2014.

March, 2011, With the transfer of all our jets to the remaining EA-6B (Prowler) squadrons, the Zappers are offically engaged in transitioning to the new AEA platform, the EA-18G (Growler).  This makes the 4th platform transition for the Zappers since the squadron’s inception in 1959.

20 December, 2010, the Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 return home after an extremely successful 7 month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on board USS Harry S. Truman.  Just in time for Christmas, New Years, and reunions with family and friends.

3 - 6 December, 2010, the USS Harry S. Truman, with the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 onboard, visited our final Liberty Port this cruise - Souda Bay, on the island of Crete, Greece.  There were numerous excellent tours arranged through MWR, to Knossos Palace, Winery, Omalos, Gortis (Gortyna Archeological site), Festos Palace, Horse-back riding, Kournas Lake, Chania, and many more.  Although it was the tourist off-season, the wonderful people of Crete were very accommodating - ensuring that an incredible port-visit was had by all.

28 - 31 October, 2010, the Zappers visit the Kingdom of Bahrain for our fourth Liberty Port.  The temperatures in the middle east were more bearable in late October, but still fairly hot.  Happy Halloween!

10 - 13 September, 2010, the USS Harry S. Truman returned to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for our third Liberty Port.  More shopping, food, sun and relaxing...

12 August, 2010, After a successful tour of command of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, Cmdr. Jeff Hammer handed the lead to Cmdr. Robert Coughlin, while airborne over USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

6 - 9 August, 2010, the Zappers visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for our second Liberty Port.  Dubai has come a long way since our last visit here during the last Deployment in 2007 / 2008.  Everyone was able to get out, relax, had the opportunity to take a MWR tour, and overall enjoy a welcome respite.

18 June, 2010, the USS Harry S. Truman transited the Suez Canal, and the Zapper's participated in a "Run The Ditch" race onboard, and finished 4th place - against teams comprised of Ship Departments and other Squadrons.

8 -12 June, 2010, the Zappers visit Marseille, France for our first Liberty Port.  The Ship's MWR offered various tours to Paris, Castles, Wineries, Monaco, Monte Cristo, etc.  The south of France was truly beautiful, and a wonderful  time was had by all.

21 May, 2010, the USS Harry S. Truman, with the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 onboard, pull out of Naval Station, Norfolk, VA for the start of the 2010 deployment.

19 May, 2010, the Zappers Main Body departed for the USS Harry S. Truman, to prepare for deployment.

18 May, 2010, the Zappers Early Det departed for the USS Harry S. Truman, to prepare for deployment.

13 - 21 March, 2010, the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 traveled to beautiful Nellis AFB, NV for a detachment training exercise.

18 January - 1 February, 2010, the Zappers went underway, on board USS Harry S. Truman, for Composite Training Unit Exercise (C3X).

4 - 18 December, 2009, the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 traveled to beautiful Fallon, NV for Airwing Det Fallon training exercise - Part II.

12 - 20 November, 2009, the Zappers went underway, on board USS Harry S. Truman, for Carrier Qualifications (EC CQ).

10 - 21 September, 2009, the Zappers went underway, on board USS Harry S. Truman, for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

24 July - 20 August, 2009, the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 traveled to beautiful Fallon, NV for Airwing Det Fallon training exercise.

A large group of Zappers headed for Stead, NV for a Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity construction site on Aug 14 and 15 as part of a community relations (COMREL) project.  We worked on 3 homes - painting fences, building structures for house porches, preparing doors for installation, and interior finish carpentry. 

MWR put together a great Command Brunch Picnic, with Go-Carts, Softball, Volleyball, and Horseshoes.  A good time was had by all.

7 June - 3 July, 2009, the Zappers went underway, on board USS Harry S. Truman, for Composite Training Unit Exercise (C2X).

On 28 May, 2009, the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 held a Change of Command Ceremony, and welcomed CDR Jeffrey L. Hammer, USN, as our new Commanding Officer and CDR Robert Coughlin, USN, as our Executive Officer.

June 1, 2008 - After a highly successful 7 month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on board USS Harry S. Truman, the world-famous Zappers of Electronic Attack Squadron 130 returned home.  Just in time for summer in the Pacific Northwest, where there are so many places to go and things to do.

Although we've slept under wires and catapults, waited in long lines for shipboard chow, and braved duty in the most hazardous location on earth, we've also had the honor of serving our country onboard a mighty Aircraft Carrier, and we visited:

• Naples, Italy
  
• Dubai, U.A.E.
• Transited the Suez Canal, Egypt
  
• Rhodes, Greece
  
• Marseille, France
• Transited the Straight of Gibraltar

June 1, 2008 - Cmdr. John MacTavish recently handed over the reins as commanding officer of the “Zappers” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 130 to Cmdr. Scott Moran during a change of command ceremony held in the forecastle of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

MacTavish had been commanding officer of the Zappers since December 2006. Leaving the Zappers, Cmdr. MacTavish now heads to United States Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

 
 

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