VAQ-141 Shadowhawks: "Ready on Arrival".When the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ VAQ Electronic Attack Squadron (US Navy) VAQ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron (US Navy aviation unit designation used in from 1968 to present) VAQ Visiting Airman's Quarters ) 141 departed NAS (1) See network access server. (2) (Network Attached Storage) A specialized file server that connects to the network. A NAS device contains a slimmed-down operating system and a file system and processes only I/O requests by supporting the popular Whidbey Island, Wash., in April 2001 en route to Norfolk, Va., and Enterprise (CVN (Card Verification Number) See CSC. 65) for a Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf deployment, they expected a typical cruise. They could not have known how eventful the deployment would become. The Shadowhawks got their first glimpse of Europe as the Big E passed through the Straights of Gibraltar on 8 May, followed by a port visit in Spain. Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 went on to conduct joint exercises with the French navy, which allowed the crew to observe the newest French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle in action, as well as her air wing flying E-2C E-2C Hawkeye; Navy Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft Hawkeyes, Super Etendards and the newest naval fighter, the Rafale. After routine operations in the western Mediterranean and a port visit in Italy, Enterprise headed for the North Atlantic and British Isles in June. Later on the coast of Scotland, the squadron spent two weeks training with NATO NATO: see North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO in full North Atlantic Treaty Organization International military alliance created to defend western Europe against a possible Soviet invasion. allies in the Joint Maritime Course. Operations were intense and included spectacular low-level flights through northern Scotland and integrated attacks against the RAF Stornoway and RAF Lossiemouth airfields. A port call in Portugal and two rigorous weeks at sea off Greece preceded a stint in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf, where the Enterprise battle group supported Operation Southern Watch Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA) with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 33rd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq. , enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq. On the morning of 10 September, the Big E began the long transit home. But the expectation of a leisurely journey back to the United States was shattered on 11 September as the Shadowhawks and the world watched the despicable terrorist acts unfold in the skies over New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and Washington, D.C. Soon after, Enterprise and CVW-8 joined other U.S. Navy assets on station in the northern Arabian Sea and brought the fight to the enemy. Providing a large portion of the firepower unleashed during the initial strikes into Afghanistan, Enterprise and her battle group lived up to their motto, "Ready on Arrival." During Operation Enduring Freedom, the aircrews of VAQ-141 provided the crucial element of electronic attack in support of coalition air and ground forces. Since their return to NAS Whidbey Island, the Shadowhawks continue to train in order to maintain a high level of proficiency in preparation for whatever challenges the next deployment brings. Ltjg. McGowan is VAQ-141's public affairs officer. |
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