Marine Corps News Room

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A1D982CB5B77BFAA8525708C003B18C0?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200593064529
Story by Cpl. James D. Hamel

AL ASAD, Iraq (Sept. 30, 2005) -- The Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 Banshees, based at Al Asad, Iraq, are playing host to two Navy squadrons supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from late September to early October.

As Navy Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135 transferred operations to VAQ-141, the two squadrons needed a land base because of a carrier gap, a situation caused by aircraft carriers rotating in and out of the area of responsibility.

When the USS Chester W. Nimitz, the home of VAQ-135, left the Persian Gulf, the squadron left behind two jets to help VMAQ-1 successfully execute the electronic warfare mission. The USS Theodore Roosevelt, the home of VAQ-141, is on its way to the Persian Gulf, but won’t arrive until next month. The Shadowhawks of VAQ-141 came to Al Asad to relieve their Navy counterparts and allow them to return to their ship.

The rotation allowed operations to continue without forcing any squadron or service member to stay in country longer than necessary. The Shadowhawks hit the ground running, beginning combat missions the day after their arrival. Such quick assumption of missions was no doubt aided by having two squadrons aiding their transition.

“Having VAQ-135 here when we arrived to get a face-to-face turnover was excellent,” said Navy Lt. Bryan Gunkel, a pilot with VAQ-141. “Between them and VMAQ-1, the transition will appear seamless to the troops on the ground, who we’re supporting.”

But while it may seem seamless to the troops on the ground, preparing a Prowler for combat missions in Iraq is anything but easy. To accomplish the distinct mission Operation Iraqi Freedom requires, Prowlers are outfitted with a new tactical jamming pod, the weapon in their electronic countermeasure arsenal.

Marines from VMAQ-1 have been teaching those from VAQ-141 how to operate and maintain the pods. Colonel Mark E. Wakeman, commanding officer of VMAQ-1, said one of the requirements to operate the newly outfitted Prowlers is for an aircrew that has spent time in Iraq to teach a new aircrew that hasn’t. His Marines have been filling that double role to VAQ-141.

“They’re catching on pretty quickly,” said Cpl. Jaa E. Tucker, an electronic countermeasures technician from VMAQ-1. Besides his daily task of keeping the Prowlers flying, he’s been passing his knowledge to his Navy counterparts. “We show them how to service the pod and troubleshooting steps.”

And while Tucker and his fellow Marines have taught the Sailors their jobs, others within the squadron have dealt with the logistics of adding seventy people, albeit temporarily, to their squadron.

“We’ve had to establish billeting, vehicles and working spaces, so there’s a lot of prior coordination so they can get in here and start operating from the start,” said 1st Lt. Mike Monette, an administration officer and electronic countermeasures officer with VMAQ-1.

Yet, the Marines of VMAQ-1 can rest easy knowing their extra work has aided the mission and ensured a more efficient transition for their fellow Prowler squadron.

“The Marines of VMAQ-1 have made our transition from the Theodore Roosevelt to Al Asad easy,” said Navy Lt. Warren Van Allen, an electronic countermeasures officer with VAQ-141. “Not only have they taken us under their wing, they’ve shared everything from working spaces, to critical mission data, to treats from supporters back home. I can’t say enough about them.”