Eat Static: The Rooks Jam the Airwaves

[unhappycamper]

Eat Static: The Rooks Jam the Airwaves
Navy News | SN Kristin Baker | November 08, 2007


USS Enterprise, At Sea -- The "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, provide electronic warfare for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf in support of Maritime Security Operations as well as Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., the "Rooks" are the only CVW 1 squadron stationed on the West Coast. They provide support for the men and women on the ground and in the air with electronic warfare from their EA-6B Prowlers.

"We provide specific protection by helping control the electromagnetic spectrum," said Cmdr. Jim Lins, commanding officer of the Rooks. "This way our troops are able to use that spectrum offensively and defensively."

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The EA-6B Prowlers do not get much down time. Flying an average of seven missions each day, and working eight days on and one day off, the Rooks are keeping busy and working rigorously to complete the mission each and every day.

"With this being our second deployment back-to-back, sometimes keeping the crew focused while fighting complacency can be difficult," said Lins.

Lins credits the high morale of his crew members with making this deployment easier.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,155838,00.html