VAQ-131

VAQ-131 was originally established as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune.

In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior and was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4).

During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-4 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:[4]

• 1 August 1963 – 10 March 1964, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany for a Western Pacific deployment
• 28 January-21 November 1964, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
• 21 October 1964 – 29 May 1965, Detachment L A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
• 10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment 62 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Independence
• 28 September 1965 – 13 May 1966, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
• 19 October 1965 – 13 June 1966, Detachment C A-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk On 12 April 1966 the People's Republic of China claimed to have shot down a U.S. aircraft over the Leizhou Peninsula. The aircraft was identified as being squadron KA-3B #142653 which disappeared en route from Naval Air Station Cubi Point to the Kitty Hawk with four crewmen onboard.[5]
• 26 October 1965 – 21 June 1966, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
• 29 May-16 November 1966, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
• 15 October 1966 – 29 May 1967, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
• 5 November 1966 – 19 June 1967, Detachment C KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
• 5 January-22 July 1967, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
• 26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
• 16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment G/34 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
• 18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
• 28 December 1967 – 17 August 1968, Detachment 14 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga

In addition to the carrier deployments, in 1966 a detachment of KA-3Bs was also sent to operate from NAS Cubi Point and Da Nang Air Base.[6]

VAQ-131 EA-6B prepares to launch from USS Ronald Reagan in 2013

VAQ-131 EA-18G Growler launching from USS George H.W. Bush in 2017

In November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, they became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the Standard version of the EA-6B Prowler. The squadron transitioned to the Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the Prowler in 1976, to the Improved Capablility (ICAP) Prowler in 1978, and to the ICAP II Prowler in 1984.[7] In May 2014, they transitioned to the Boeing EA-18G Growler, which they currently operate. The EA-18G expanded the squadron's capabilities to enable more effective prosecution of radar and Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) sites in an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), both through air-to-ground weapon employment and precision electronic attack, the latter being the Growler's niche capability. The EA-18G is also a capable air-to-air combat platform.