VAQ-137 was established on 14 Dec 1973 and first deployed in 1974 with CVW-14 for a WESTPAC cruise aboard , flying EXCAP EA-6B Prowlers. In April 1975, on station in the South China Sea, the squadron provided essential electronic surveillance for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Americans from Saigon. Between 1976 and 1978, the squadron made two Mediterranean cruises with CVW-6 aboard . In April 1976, the squadron provided standoff ECM support for the evacuation of Americans from civil-war-torn Beirut, Lebanon. During the two cruises, the squadron obtained emitter data and the first Navy photos of the USSR 's Kiev-class aircraft carrier and their newest Kara-class cruiser. Between 1979 and 1982, VAQ-137 made three WESTPAC cruises with CVW-2 aboard .