Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), also known as the "Zappers", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Carrier Air Wing 3, the Zappers deploy aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). VAQ-130 is the oldest electronic warfare squadron in the U.S. Navy.
The squadron was originally commissioned as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Thirteen (VAW-13) flying AD-5Qs in 1959.
During the Vietnam War detachments from VAW-13 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:
6 March-23 November 1965, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Midway5 April-16 December 1965, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Oriskany10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Independence21 April 1965 – 13 January 1966, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard12 May-3 December 1966, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Constellation21 June 1966 – 21 February 1967, Detachment 42 EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31 EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard29 April-4 December 1967, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Constellation16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Oriskany29 July 1967 – 6 April 1968, Detachment EA-1Fs were embarked on USS Coral Sea4 November 1967 – 25 May 1968, Detachment 61 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk3 January-18 July 1968, Detachment 65 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise27 January-10 October 1968, Detachment 31 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard10 April-16 December 1968, Detachment 66 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS America29 May 1968 – 21 January 1969, Detachment 64 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation18 July 1968 – 3 March 1969, Detachment 19 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock7 September 1968 – 18 April 1969, Detachment 43 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Coral SeaOn October 1, 1968, the squadron was re-designated Electronic Attack Squadron 130 and placed under Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing Thirteen (VAQW-13).
VAQ-130 detachments continued to deploy in support of the Vietnam War as follows:
26 October 1968 – 17 May 1969, Detachment 61 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger1 February-18 September 1969, Detachment 14 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga18 March-29 October 1968, Detachment 31 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard14 April-17 November 1969, Detachment 34 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany2 April-12 November 1970, Detachment 31 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard14 May-10 December 1970, Detachment 1 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany16 April-6 November 1971, Detachment 2 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Midway14 May-10 December 1971, Detachment 3 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany11 June 1971 – 12 February 1972, Detachment 4 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise1 October 1971 – 30 June 1972, Detachment 1 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Constellation10 April 1972 – 3 March 1973, Detachment 2 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Midway5 June 1972 – 30 March 1973, Detachment 3 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany16 November 1973 – 23 June 1973, Detachment 4 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ranger18 October 1973 – 5 June 1974, Detachment 3 EKA-3Bs were embarked on USS OriskanyIn March 1975, the squadron relocated to their current homeport of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler.
In December 2010, the squadron returned from their last fleet deployment flying the EA-6B Prowler and began transition training in March 2011 to the EA-18G Growler; the Zappers completed transition training in November 2011. The squadron deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman in July 2013 following a year-long work-up cycle.
