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Prowlers Return Home from Patrolling Northern Iraq

EUCOM Release

01/03/2003

By Staff Sgt. Les Waters NCOIC, Combined Information Bureau

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, TURKEY, Jan. 3 --- After completing their 90-day deployment at Incirlik AB, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch, members of Electronic Attack Squadron 133 returned home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. Flying the EA-6B Prowler, the sailors were part of more than 1,400 United Kingdom, Turkish and U.S. troops enforcing the No-Fly Zone in northern Iraq and monitoring Iraqi compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

"The EA-6B Prowler is the only tactical electronic jamming platform in the U.S. inventory," said Lt. j.g. Buck Herdegen, a VAQ-133 Electronic Countermeasures Officer. "We can detect radar transmissions from radar sites from both friendly and enemy countries, but focus on the enemy."

Many of the sailors have mixed emotions about the end of the deployment. For some this is not just the end of a deployment, it is also their last time with the squadron, while others are excited to return home because of a new addition to the family or one on the way.

"This is my last deployment with the VAQ-133, so in some ways it is kind of sad, to know that I'll be leaving some good friend behind when we get home," said Aviation Storekeeper Second Class Jennifer Price.

"I found out we are going to have a new baby soon, so I'm really excited about that," said Aviation Structural Mechanic Second Class Anthony Pepper.

"I've really had to learn a lot about running the parachute rigging shop during this deployment," said Parachute Rigger Second Class Laura TejadaRamos. "Our shop's leading petty officer is leaving the squadron after this deployment, so I will be the new leading petty officer."

With VAQ-133 leaving and completing their part of the mission, another Whidbey Island, WA unit, the "Garudas" of VAQ-134, roll in to take their turn patrolling in Operation Northern Watch. Because the Prowler is an older aircraft, the squadron maintainers do a lot of work to keep the aircraft flying. The first Prowler was built in 1968, but continues to be a valuable aircraft due to many upgrades as technology has improved.

"The fact that we have been able to support every Operation Northern Watch mission we have been tasked with is really a testament to our outstanding maintainers," said Herdegen. "They do an incredible job keeping the jets ready and able."

Thirty years after its initial deployment to Southeast Asia, the EA-6B Prowler remains a formidable asset in the U.S. military arsenal. As part of a coalition task force of more than 50 U.K. and U.S. aircraft, the Prowlers lead missions into Northern Iraq, protecting coalition patrols.

"We go in and cover any strike package and deny the enemy their radar capabilities so they can't see us coming," said Herdegen. "We put out more energy than they are putting out."