VAQ-128

• Establishment: VAQ-128, also known as the "Fighting Phoenix," was established on September 1, 1997, as an expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron in the United States Navy. • Role: The squadron specialized in electronic warfare, flying the EA-6B Prowler aircraft to jam enemy radar and communications and provide electronic attack support. • Unique Composition: VAQ-128 was a joint Navy and Air Force unit, created to fill the gap when U.S. Air Force EF-111A Ravens were retired, making it the only Navy squadron to be regularly assigned to work with Air Force wings. • Nickname and Mascot: The unit’s nickname was "Fighting Phoenix," and their insignia featured a fiery phoenix rising, symbolizing their birth from the legacy of previous squadrons. • Global Deployments: VAQ-128 deployed globally, supporting U.S. and allied operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. • Notable Missions: The squadron played a critical role in enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq during Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch after the Gulf War. • Integration with Air Force: VAQ-128 was based at Whidbey Island, Washington, but regularly operated from Air Force bases worldwide, integrating seamlessly with Air Force expeditionary forces. • Aircraft: The EA-6B Prowler was their primary aircraft, equipped with advanced jamming pods and electronic surveillance equipment, making VAQ-128 a key player in suppressing enemy air defenses. • Deactivation: VAQ-128 was deactivated on September 26, 2004, as part of a drawdown and modernization of U.S. electronic warfare forces, with the EA-6B fleet gradually being replaced by the EA-18G Growler. • Legacy: Although short-lived, VAQ-128’s joint-service cooperation and operational impact left a lasting legacy in U.S. military electronic warfare history.