The squadron returned to sea in March 2006 on a Western Pacific deployment in support of exercises Foal Eagle, Valiant Shield and RIMPAC 2006. Upon their return from deployment in 2006, the squadron upgraded their aircraft with the eight-bladed New Propeller 2000 system (NP2K). This upgrade was completed in March 2007, just after the squadron returned from detachment to NAS Fallon. In May 2007, the squadron completed NP2K carrier qualification aboard off the Virginia Coast. In March 2008, the squadron embarked on a seven-month deployment with Carrier Air Wing Two aboard USS "Abraham Lincoln" to the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) where they flew 266 combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.