VAQ-140's Patriots

From the Fleet

One of the youngest EA-6B Prowler squadrons in the fleet, VAQ-140 is part of CVW-7 based on board USS John F Kennedy (CV-67). The Patriot CO, CDR Steven G. Koch man, is very familiar with VAQ-140. A plankowner in the squadron, he has served all of his operational tours in VAQ-140.

In addition to many major deployments in its relatively brief history, the Patriots were tasked with testing and evaluating AGM-88 High Speed AntiRadiation Missile (HARM) for use on the EA-613. This led to the introduction of HARM to the Prowler community. The Patriots became the first Prowler squadron to deploy with HARM.

The squadron was also the first EA6B unit to use the Improved Data Modem to pass targeting information in the firing of HARM.

VAQ-140 has participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Southern Watch. In March 1999 the Patriots deployed to Aviano AB, Italy, as part of the 31 st Air Expeditionary Wing in support of Operation Allied Force. In April the squadron assumed tactical command of Electronic Attack Wing Aviano. The wing is comprised of more than 100 aircrew and over 300 support personnel from 12 commands.

The wing flew 740 combat missions in Allied Force and logged more than 3,300 flight hours. During this campaign, the wing fired 117 HARM missiles.

At this writing, the Patriots are flying combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and are enjoying a 100% combat mission completion rate.

VAQ-140 has been at sea for 10 of the command's 16 years.0

Copyright Association of Naval Aviation Summer 2002
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