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F-18E/F and EA-18G


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I'm not familiar with the term Expeditionary Squadron. What is it? Thanks.

I believe they were created after the USAF retired their last dedicated electronic wafare aircraft, the EF-111. The rationale was that it would be less expensive for one service to specialize in this area. In exchange for giving up its Ravens, the Navy had to provide USAF EW support in the form of dedicated expeditionary squadrons which were jointly manned,both Navy and AF personnel serving in these squadrons. There were a number of USAF pilots and EWOs that served with expeditionary Prowler squadrons and I did read something a while back of an AF pilot or EWO going through training on the Growler.

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I read somewhere (maybe ARC Forums) that VAW-115 will be changed with VAW-125 Tigertails after they complete transition to E-2D. I don't understand why Liberty Bells couldn't complete transition to Deltas and stay with CVW-5 like VFA-195 with their transition from Charlie to Echo.

It's about a 15 month transition...way different all around, unlike going from a C-E where it's just a slightly different airframe from the aircrew perspective. For the pilots - all new cockpit and it's a dog performance wise (weighs more, more drag and HUGE generators) and the back end is all new.

Spongebob

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There were a number of USAF pilots and EWOs that served with expeditionary Prowler squadrons and I did read something a while back of an AF pilot or EWO going through training on the Growler.

Now that is most interesting, I wonder if they'll fly the dedicated missions for the AF when required, or will it be whoever's next up.

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I'd like to build a second Growler, besides the VAQ-141 I am building now. I am not too crazy about the paint schemes of the fleet jets.

I would like to get a hold of the Hasegawa decals for the dull grey fleet VAQ-141 line bird (NOT CAG) if any one wants to sell/trade theirs.

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I would like to get a hold of the Hasegawa decals for the dull grey fleet VAQ-141 line bird (NOT CAG) if any one wants to sell/trade theirs.

You should contact Hobbyco, the NA distributor of Has model. They might be able to order the decals and send it to you at a nominal price.

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VAQ-136 Gauntlets ~ EA-18G at NAS North Island, CA

This is NL 500, which would make it the CAG bird. However, it does not have any hi-viz markings.

They also mislabeled the type of a/c in the article, but it's an EA-18G.

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130222-N-KL846-028

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 22, 2013) An F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares for takeoff behind the Sea 'N Air golf course at Naval Air Station North Island as golfers in the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation golf tournament finish up the 17th hole. The tournament is a fundraiser in support of the foundation's mission to provide college scholarships to dependent children and spouses of U.S. Navy service members in the naval aviation community. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Lindahl/Released)

Link to Hi-Rez Photo

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Here's a photo(looks CG to me...?)of VAQ-136 new markings on line bird 502/ NL,the 'XOs' EA-18G bird which has been assigned as a JEF unit now,at NAS Whidbey Island,WA.

That makes the fourth EA-18G squadron assigned as a Joint Expeditionary Force unit,-132,-135,138.

This is from VAQ-136 OFFICIAL Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151761542042907&set=o.196912000349643&type=1&theater

Terry

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Here's a photo(looks CG to me...?)of VAQ-136 new markings on line bird 502/ NL,the 'XOs' EA-18G bird which has been assigned as a JEF unit now,at NAS Whidbey Island,WA.

That makes the fourth EA-18G squadron assigned as a Joint Expeditionary Force unit,-132,-135,138.

This is from VAQ-136 OFFICIAL Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151761542042907&set=o.196912000349643&type=1&theater

Terry

I'm guessing the reason for a fourth expeditionary unit is due to no squadrons being assigned to CVW-14, leaving one VAQ that needed a place to go.

Jeff

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Why are so many Growler squadrons are expeditionary squadrons - Scorpions, Ravens, and Gauntlets? I'd like to build a second Growler, besides the VAQ-141 I am building now. I am not too crazy about the paint schemes of the fleet jets.

Since the late 90's there's been 3-4 expeditionary VAQ squadrons (4 until VAQ-128 got decommissioned). I wasn't privy to the decisions behind where squadrons went after they transitioned, but I suspect wanting to get the 'new hotness' into Iraq and Afghanistan, where their contributions could be publicized and more money wringed out of the budget, played a role.

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Since the late 90's there's been 3-4 expeditionary VAQ squadrons (4 until VAQ-128 got decommissioned). I wasn't privy to the decisions behind where squadrons went after they transitioned, but I suspect wanting to get the 'new hotness' into Iraq and Afghanistan, where their contributions could be publicized and more money wringed out of the budget, played a role.

Wonder how different managing an electric Hornet would be to the EA-6B in my stack? Wonder if their Toff is any shorter at BAF? Longest and loudest freight train sound is a Prowler taking off @ BAF.... (I complain because they woke all of us up that had been out "working" all night). I kid I kid, I loved having the trons in my stack.

Cheers

Collin

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Take-off roll seems to be shorter (I've still yet to fly in one, and am perfectly OK with that, to be honest - but they obviously use the same field). They also have the option to take-off in burner.

They can fly a bit higher and stay comfortable, but not THAT much higher, since the pylons are still towed out, and if they're going to be remotely useful to you, they're going to be about as draggy as a 5-wet Rhino.

From relieving VAQ-132 in OUP, we found that we could generally get by with one or two less trips to the tanker; I think owing mainly to burn rate (bingo numbers themselves, if I remember right, aren't THAT different).

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Brian, I live in Russia and I can look only according to photos. Sometimes good people share photos. And to look alive VERY MUCH it WOULD BE DESIRABLE!!!!

Here's the scoop, and I'm not trying to be an arse, but when an individual or photographer sends me photos as a courtesy, they're not mine to share. If I take the pics myself or if that individual or photographer says it's ok for me to post, I will.

It may take some time for me to get approval to post them, but until then, I'll respect their copyright and keep the pics to myself.

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From relieving VAQ-132 in OUP, we found that we could generally get by with one or two less trips to the tanker; I think owing mainly to burn rate (bingo numbers themselves, if I remember right, aren't THAT different).

As long as you don't have to hit the tanker as often as a F-16...that's a good thing in my book.

Cheers

Collin

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