Airborne Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the Zappers, landed its squadron’s first operational EA-18G Growler on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), July 18.
The Growler, a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, replaced the EA-6B Prowler as the primary electronic warfare strike aircraft for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
Getting Growlers aboard Truman is a huge achievement for the squadron, said Cmdr. Jeff Chism, the Zappers’ executive officer.
“This is the first time our squadron has landed a Growler aboard a ship,” said Chism. “Truman is only the second carrier on the East Coast with a VAQ squadron embarked, and we are thrilled to be here.”
Zappers’ Commanding Officer Cmdr. Rich Vaccaro landed the Growler on Truman.
“The Prowler is an older aircraft,” said Lt. Nathan Gingery, a VAQ-130 pilot. “The Growler will extend the electronic attack mission into the distant future.”
The Growler has implemented and improved upon much of the old EA-6B equipment, said Gingery.
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