EA-18G WSO

“VAQ-130 ZAPPERS CRUISE 2016:” THE BEST EA-18G GROWLER VIDEO YOU’VE EVER SEEN

By Dario Leone
Mar 13 2017
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VAQ-130 Zappers is the oldest U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron and flies the EA-18G Growler

Called “VAQ-130 Zappers Cruise 2016,” the following cool video is probably the best EA-18G Growler footage you have ever seen so far.

Taken during the unit recent deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 on board the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the clip is divided into six chapters:

– Intro/History of the Zappers
– OIR/Welcome to Ready One
– Rocky
– Continuous Thunder
– Holidays/Coming Home
– End Credits

Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), also known as the “Zappers”, is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island. VAQ-130 is the oldest U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. EA-18G Growler VAQ-130 Zappers, AC500 / 168268 / 2016.

As we have already explained the EA-18G Growler is the airborne electronic attack variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet. Thanks to its state of the art sensors and weapons, the aircraft can perform a wide array of missions including Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), Stand-off and Escort Jamming (where the Growler not only fly the traditional stand-off jamming mission but also provides the escort for other air assets thanks to the speed and agility inherited form the Super Hornet), Non-Traditional Electronic Attack (where thanks to its enhanced situational awareness the EA-18G achieves an unmatched degree of integration with ground operations) and Self-protection and Time-Critical Strike Support (where thanks to its Advanced Electronically Scanned Array [AESA] radar, digital data links and air-to-air missiles, the EA-18G has self-protection capability and is also highly effective for target identification and prosecution).

Source: U.S. Navy; Photo credit: screenshot from video

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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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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