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Gauntlets Put Hussein Regime Assets in 'HARM's Way'

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030502-27
Release Date: 5/3/2003 5:00:00 PM

By Lt. j.g. Thomas Clarity, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan Public Affairs

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- The "Gauntlets" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 aircrew returned to USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) after a successful combat mission that included firing their High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) in defense of coalition forces.

This was the first employment of a HARM by the Gauntlets in seven years. Despite the long absence between live fires, the expertise and professionalism at the heart of the successful HARM shot came through.

VAQ-136 flew more than 500 hours and 105 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They launched a total of six HARMs before their work was done in the Arabian Gulf.

"We put our game faces on," said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Ricardo Ramirez, as he described the serious response the squadron had to the demands of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Gauntlet aviation ordnancemen (AO) loaded "84 HARMs, performed 725 arming and de-arming evolutions, and 232 chaff and wire checks," said Chief Aviation Ordanceman Randall Mills.

Mills also noted the contributions of Aviation Technicians and augmentees in loading operations, as the 700 pound missiles were transported from Kitty Hawk's "bomb farm" to numerous Gauntlet's EA-6B aircraft several times a day.

Each Gauntlet aircrew member became HARM shooters during Operation Iraqi Freedom and appreciate the outstanding work done by the AOs.

"There was never any doubt in my mind that the missile would work successfully," said Lt. j.g. Brendan Stickles.

Although a HARM is the most visible offensive portion of a Prowler AO's job, their work with numerous defensive systems, such as chaff, flares and generic expendable decoys, was equally important to mission success.

VAQ-136 aircraft were repeatedly engaged by Iraqi rockets, anti-aircraft artillery fire, and surface-to-air missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and relied upon their defensive systems to return to Kitty Hawk safely.

Despite the long hours and extraordinary demands, the Gauntlet ordnancemen responded with teamwork and dedication that exemplifies Sailors of the forward-deployed naval force.