VAQ-144

Electronic Attack Squadron 144 (VAQ-144), "Main Battery", is a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler.^[3]

Electronic Attack Squadron 144
A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024
Active	1 October 2021–present (3 years, 10 months)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Electronic Attack
Role	Electronic Warfare
Part of	Carrier Air Wing One
Garrison/HQ	NAS Whidbey Island
Nickname(s)	Main Battery
Motto(s)	"Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details"
Colors	#ec6924  #be5227  #000000
Mascot(s)	Devil
Engagements	Operation Prosperity Guardian Operation Poseidon Archer
Website	https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/
Commanders
Commanding Officer	CDR Brant "Probie" Schmall
Executive Officer	CDR Richard "Lampshade" Delk
Command Master Chief	CMDCM Laura Blanco
Insignia
VAQ-144 insignia
Callsign	DEVIL
Modex	5XX[1]
Tail Code	AB
Aircraft flown
Electronic warfare	EA-18G Growler (2023–present) [2]

History

VAQ-144 can trace its origins to the former Grumman A-6 Intruder squadron VA-196 formerly also based at NAS Whidbey Island that was disestablished in 1997 as the last operational A-6 squadron on the west coast.^[2]

VA-196 KA-6D Intruder in flight c. 1982

VAQ-144

In September 2019 the Navy transitioned a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) VAQ squadron out of the carrier environment to meet demands as an expeditionary unit. The gap in CVW Electronic Attack coverage showed a need for a 15th operational VAQ squadron. VAQ-144 was established on 1 Oct 2021 to meet this demand with a requirement to meet scheduled milestones and achieve full operational capability in fiscal year 2023. In the spring of 2023, the squadron received its first independent aircraft flown with VAQ-144 markings.^[3]

In late September 2024, VAQ-144 and their EA-18Gs departed the US as part of CVW-1 on a scheduled deployment aboard the USS Harry S. Truman

Following multiple exercises with European militaries, VAQ-144 and CVW-1 were ordered to operate in the Red Sea in defense of international shipping lanes and Israel against Houthi/Iran proxy military unit attacks from Yemen. VAQ-144 and CVW-1 arrived in the CENTCOM AOR in mid December 2024 with combat operations against the Houthis/Iranians commencing upon arrival to the Red Sea.

Airstrikes were undertaken against the Houthis/Iranians for much of the later half of December 2024 through April 2025. Strikes against the Houthis/Iranian proxy military units in Yemen increased significantly following March 15, 2025, with VAQ-144 and CVW-1 conducting increased sorties on a larger set of enemy targets.

See also

• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• VA-196 (U.S. Navy)