Growler Ball 2020 video celebrates 50 years of US Navy’s Electronic Attack Community

Growler Ball 2020 video celebrates 50 years of US Navy’s Electronic Attack Community

By Dario Leone
Aug 30 2020
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The 2020 edition of the annual Growler Ball video marks the 50th Anniversary of VAQ-129 Vikings, the Electronic Attack Fleet Replacement Squadron.

The 2020 edition of the annual Growler Ball video marks the 50th Anniversary of VAQ-129 Vikings, the Electronic Attack Fleet Replacement Squadron that began developing America’s EA-6B Prowler aircrew in 1970, and now is responsible for training the US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force’s EA-18G Growler communities.

On Sep. 1, 1970, Heavy Attack Squadron 10 (VAH-10) was redesignated to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) under the leadership of Commanding Officer J. D. Blackwood. The new name signaled a shift of the squadron’s aircraft and mission, as the A-3 Skywarrior was retired and replaced by the EA-6B Prowler. VAQ-129 accepted the first standard version Prowler in January 1971 and the Vikings assumed the role as Fleet Replacement Squadron for the new EA-6B community.

In June 2008 VAQ-129 accepted the first EA-18G Growler. The EA-18G is an Electronic Warfare platform derived from a combination of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe and the EA-6B ICAP III EW suite.

In 2015, VAQ-129 successfully completed the transition of all fleet squadrons from the Prowler to the Growler.

Today, VAQ-129 maintains 55 EA-18G aircraft.

Once again, this year’s video showcases the latest and greatest footage from all US Navy VAQ squadrons in Whidbey Island, WA and Iwakuni, Japan, as well as the RAAF 6th Squadron.

Growler Ball 2020 video celebrates 50 years of US Navy’s Electronic Attack Community
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. EA-18G Growler VAQ-130 Zappers, AC500 / 168268 / 2016.

Featuring:

VAQ-129 Vikings

VAQ-130 Zappers

VAQ-131 Lancers

VAQ-132 Scorpions

VAQ-133 Wizards

VAQ-134 Garudas

VAQ-135 Black Ravens

VAQ-136 Gauntlets

VAQ-137 Rooks

VAQ-138 Yellowjackets

VAQ-139 Cougars

VAQ-140 Patriots

VAQ-141 Shadowhawks

VAQ-142 Gray Wolves

VAQ-209 Star Warriors

VX-9 Vampires

Royal Australian Air Force 6th Squadron

USAF 390th ECS


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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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