{{primary sources|date=April 2023}} {{Use American English|date=January 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Electronic Attack Squadron 144 | native_name = | image = Boeing EA-18G Growler of VAQ-144 lands aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Atlantic Ocean, 15 April 2024 (240415-N-TY639-1193).JPG | image_size = 300 | caption = A VAQ-144 EA-18G Growler lands on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2024 | dates = 1 October 2021–present<br>({{Age in years and months|2021|10|1}}) | country = {{USA}} | branch = {{navy|USA}} | type = Electronic Attack | role = Electronic Warfare | size = | command_structure = {{nowrap|30px| Carrier Air Wing One}} | garrison = {{nowrap|30px| NAS Whidbey Island}} | garrison_label = | nickname = Main Battery | patron = | motto = "Dealers of deception in the dark", "The devil is in the details" | colors = {{Color box|#ec6924|#ec6924|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#be5227|#be5227|border=darkgray}}{{Color box|#000000|#000000|border=darkgray}} | colors_label = | march = | mascot = Devil | anniversaries = | equipment = | equipment_label = | battles = Operation Prosperity Guardian<br/>Operation Poseidon Archer | battles_label = | decorations = | battle_honours = | battle_honours_label = | flying_hours = | website = https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/ <!-- Commanders --> | commander1= CDR Lampshade | commander1_label= Commanding Officer | commander2= CDR Dee Dee | commander2_label= Executive Officer | commander3= CMDCM La Tormenta | commander3_label= Command Master Chief | notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia --> | identification_symbol = 165px | identification_symbol_label = VAQ-144 insignia | identification_symbol_2 = DEVIL | identification_symbol_2_label = Callsign | identification_symbol_3 = 5XX<ref>{{Cite web |title=Milcom Monitoring Post: USN Aircraft Modex Numbers |url=http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/p/us-navy-aircraft-modex-numbers.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Milcom Monitoring Post}}</ref> | identification_symbol_3_label = Modex | identification_symbol_4 = AB | identification_symbol_4_label = Tail Code <!-- Aircraft --> | aircraft_attack = | aircraft_bomber = | aircraft_electronic = EA-18G Growler (2023–present)<br /><ref name=History/> | aircraft_fighter = | aircraft_helicopter = | aircraft_helicopter_attack = | aircraft_helicopter_cargo = | aircraft_helicopter_multirole = | aircraft_helicopter_observation = | aircraft_helicopter_trainer = | aircraft_helicopter_utility = | aircraft_interceptor = | aircraft_patrol = | aircraft_recon = | aircraft_trainer = | aircraft_transport = | aircraft_tanker = | aircraft_general = }}
'''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.<ref name=About>{{cite web|title=About US |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/About-Us/|website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}</ref>
==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.<ref name=History>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144/About-Us/History/|website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}</ref> thumb|left|250px|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.<ref name=About/>
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)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-144// VAQ-144 official website]
{{US Navy navbox}} {{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}
Category:Electronic attack squadrons of the United States Navy Category:Aircraft squadrons of the United States Navy Category:Military units and formations in Washington (state)