VAQ - 136 Electronic Attack Squadron 136 ( VAQ - 136 ) also known as " The Gauntlets " is a United States Navy electronic attack squadron that was forward - deployed to Naval Air Station Atsugi , Japan . The " Gauntlets " fly the EA - 18G Growler and are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine , a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions . The squadron is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island . History . 1970s . Since establishment in 1973 , VAQ - 136 has been associated with several Carrier Air Wings . The " Gauntlets ’ " first two deployments were with CVW - 11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk ( CV - 63 ) . In 1977 the " Gauntlets " joined CVW - 7 aboard the USS " Independence " for a cruise to the Mediterranean , after which the squadron changed to the " Improved Capability " ( ICAP ) version of the EA - 6B . After the transition to their new aircraft , the " Gauntlets " sailed to the Mediterranean again , this time with CVW - 5 on USS " Saratoga " . 1980s . In 1980 the " Gauntlets " flew across the Pacific Ocean to their new home in NAF Atsugi , Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five and USS " Midway " , based in Yokosuka . The 1980s were highlighted by numerous Gauntlet achievements , such as an 8300 mile cross - deck deployment to USS " America " in support of Indian Ocean operations in 1983 , and a record - setting 111 day Indian Ocean at sea period ( 101 days out of sight of land ) in 1984 . In 1986 , the squadron transitioned to ICAP II aircraft and deployed to support the Summer Olympics in Seoul , Korea . The " Gauntlets " were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency " E " , and the Safety “ S ” in 1989 . 1990s . On April 16 , 1990 , as part of the Cope Thunder exercise , the " Gauntlets " successfully fired a live High Speed Anti - Radiation Missile ( HARM ) at a U . S . Air Force target radar off the coast of the Philippines . It was the first HARM fired in WESTPAC and the missile completely destroyed its target . On January 16 , 1991 the " Gauntlets " flew strikes against Iraq in support of Operation Desert Storm . During the 43 - day war , the " Gauntlets " fired 28 HARMs against Iraqi air defenses , ensuring that CVW - 5 did not lose any aircraft to enemy fire . On August 22 , 1991 , the " Gauntlets " cross - decked from the USS Midway ( CV - 41 ) with CVW - 5 to the in Pearl Harbor , Hawaii . In the early 1992 , the " Gauntlets " deployed with " Independence " in support of Operation Southern Watch . The " Gauntlets " received the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency " E " award for 1992 . In addition , the " Gauntlets " received the Radford Award for being the best EA - 6B squadron in the Navy , the Association of Old Crows Outstanding Unit Award , and a Meritorious Unit Commendation . In 1993 the " Gauntlets " sailed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch . That summer saw the " Gauntlets " supporting U . S . policy during intense North Korean Contingency Operations . VAQ - 136 was named the “ Prowler Squadron of the Year for Tactical Excellence ” for 1994 . The " Gauntlets " began 1995 with operations in the Yellow Sea before proceeding south to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold off the coast of Thailand . They then moved to the Middle East yet again participating in Operation Southern Watch . The " Gauntlets " were awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency " E " , and Safety “ S ” for 1995 . In 1996 VAQ - 136 operated in the Yellow Sea , near the Philippines , and around Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression . Early in 1997 " Independence " , with the " Gauntlets " aboard , commenced a four month cruise , transiting to Guam , Australia , Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand , and then Hong Kong , the last U . S . carrier to port there before its reversion to Chinese control . In January 1998 the " Gauntlets " once more sailed on an emergency , no - notice deployment to the Persian Gulf . Just fifteen days after receiving the order , the " Gauntlets " went from holiday routine to fully carrier qualified and underway in support of Operation Southern Watch . The " Gauntlets " returned home for a brief respite before getting underway again in July , this time to Hawaii to cross - deck onto their new home , USS " Kitty Hawk " . The " Gauntlets " received the Safety “ S ” for the first half of calendar year 98 . In January 1999 , VAQ - 136 was awarded the 1998 COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency " E " . This significant award is given to the most combat - ready squadron in the Electronic Attack Community . On March 2 , 1999 , VAQ - 136 and the " Kitty Hawk " Battle group departed Yokosuka , Japan for three months of routine operations and exercises in the Western Pacific . The " Gauntlets " participated in the multi - national and multi - service exercise Tandem Thrust off the island of Guam before " Kitty Hawk " was ordered to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch . Over the following eleven weeks , the " Gauntlets " flew 115 combat sorties over the skies of Iraq . When " Kitty Hawk " pulled into Dubai , UAE , for several days of liberty , the " Gauntlets " were tasked to provide uninterrupted Electronic Warfare support for coalition aircraft flying from Prince Sultan Air Base ( PSAB ) , Saudi Arabia . 2000s . In 2010 , VAQ - 136 was awarded the " Battle E " for combat efficiency and the " Golden Wrench " Award for maintenance excellence by Commander , Naval Air Forces . In February 2012 , the Navy announced that the Gauntlets would transfer to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the Spring of 2012 to prepare for the change to the EA - 18G Growler . As of February 2013 they fly the EA - 18G Growler at NAS Whidbey Island with a tail code of " NL " .