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Cougars Return Home to NAS Whidbey Island

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060708-05
7/8/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Hamill, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs Center

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- After nearly four months of conducting split operations in the Northern Persian Gulf and at Al Asad Air Base, in Iraq, the "Cougars" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 returned home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island July 6.

Upon leaving Iraq and the Gulf, the Cougars had flown more than 650 combat sorties, 1,850 hours and achieved a 99 percent combat completion rate in support of coalition ground forces.

For one Cougar, this return home was extra special because of a new addition.

“It’s great to be home. I missed the birth of my new son, so the first thing I am going to do is play with my little boy,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic Equipment 1st Class Andrew Allaire.

“I missed not being able to pick up my cell phone and call anyone I wanted to at anytime,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Eamon Coyne. “The first thing I am going to do though is go to Applebee’s and get some good American food.”

Next on the agenda for VAQ-139 is Improved Capability Training (ICAP) for a new improved electronic systems installation, and then it is back to sea for carrier qualifications aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).