Shadowhawks establish Navy Prowler presence in Iraq

During their common deployment with Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) the Shadowhawks of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8's Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 have overwhelm many challenges in establishing themselves as the first Navy Prowler squadron to put up operations at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq. The electronic warfare capabilities of the Shadowhawks' EA-6B Prowler are enhancing the efforts of Marine Electronic Attack Squadron (VMAQ) 1 to provide aerial support for U Marine Corps sod forces in Iraq.

The Shadowhawks were first called on on 17 September 2005 to display for three weeks to Al Asad. Thirteen officers and 49 enlisted personnel departed TR while the ship was anchored for a port visit to Palma De Mallorca, Spain. The Shadowhawks quickly learned that they would have to prostrate several challenges presented by their fresh temporary home. The work facilities had limited electrical access and were without telephone or computer hookups

"We awaited the conditions to be as we place them, and it didn't really matter to us [at the time] because we knew we would single be there for three weeks," said VAQ-141 Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Mark Curley

With help from the Marines of VMAQ-1, who provided communications equipment and helped with maintenance urgencys the Shadowhawks were able to secure their Prowlers in the air. by dint of mission's end, VAQ-141 had leadershiped 37 combat sorties, with a total of 165 hours of flight time.

Shortly after returning to TR the Shadowhawks learned that what they musing would be a one-time experience was about to make go round into a long-term presence. The decision was made to emit VAQ-141 personnel back to Al Asad, this time for an indefinite period. The show of an indefinite land-based detachment meant that the Shadowhawks necessityed to find additional resources in order to be almost completely self-sufficient.

The ne for a building from which to operate, the ability to communicate within Al Asad and back to TR the ne for vehicles, sleeping quarters, work spaces, offices and, more importantly, the capability to perform particular maintenance operations, became unexpected challenges for VAQ-141.

"It was almost like a homeport change because you are basically going to a base where they aren't quite station up to accommodate you," said AM1 Richard Peterson "We had to actually build a nearness there completely from scratch," Curley said. "We had to find these items, and in a war baldric you aren't going to find this raw material just sitting around." Once again the Shadowhawks sought the support of VMAQ-1, on the other hand this time the crew was working to establish a solid and lasting vicinity not only for themselves, on the other hand also for the sake of any futurity Navy squadrons deploying to Al Asad.

The first pace was to learn how to work within the Marine Corps endue system, and VMAQ-1 was there to assist. one time VAQ-141 personnel gained a better understanding of in what manner the supply system worked, it became a great deal of easier to locate and receive extremityed supplies. "We developed a advantageous working relationship with VMAQ-1," Curley said. "We were able to help each other without with parts and technical support if necessary."

The Shadowhawks lay the foundation of the answer to their communication straits when they made contact with Marine Air cluster (MAG) 26. It was end MAG-26 that VAQ-141 was able to obtain UHF and VHF radios, and necessary telephone and computer hookups

In alone a few weeks, the Shadowhawks went from having an open-bay hangar with no stores and only a 12-by-10-foot operations space, to having seven well-lit and heated maintenance spaces with parts storage, an operations space with five office spaces, a ready expanse and an established communications system

"With all that we have learned, from the combat operations and tactics our aircrew and aircraft engage from Al Asad Airbase, to the logistics involved with working, operating, and living in an expeditionary combat environment, we have built a plant of standard operating procedures for any Navy VAQ squadron that expands into Al Asad after we leave near the extremity of TR's deployment," said Curley

"I couldn't be more conceited of all of the Shadowhawk Sailors," said Cdr Craig Clapperton, VAQ-141 XO "This was a total team effort from our sailors in the detachment and our sailors upon the carrier. Our sailors showed determination, persistence and a great deal of ingenuity. They built all of this from scratch, and they accomplished all of this while executing more than 500 flight hours and 100 combat sorties."

by the agency of JO2 Stephen Murphy and PH2 Matthew Bash

COPYRIGHT 2006 Department of the Navy, Naval Historical Center

COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group