NAS Patuxent River, Md. –
Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, returned Dec. 14, 2024, from the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s (ABECSG) five-month deployment to the Middle East and Eastern Pacific to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in time for the holidays.
The 153 Sailors, 18 aircrew and seven EA-18G Growlers of the “Wizards” of VAQ-133 departed Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, July 13, 2024.
The Wizard’s deployment marked a historic milestone, as the squadron became the first in the Navy to deploy with the ALQ-249 Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ). Throughout their rigorous training and deployment, the Wizards demonstrated the future of airborne electronic attack by developing new tactics, achieving the first NGJ arrested landing and tactically employing the system.
“This deployment showcased the cutting-edge capabilities of the NGJ and reinforced the critical role of the Growler community in modern warfare,” said Cmdr. Erik Dente, commanding officer, VAQ-133. “More importantly, it demonstrated the skill, dedication and perseverance of every VAQ-133 Sailor and the families, friends and loved ones who supported them at home. I could not be more proud of the Sailors, aircrew and support teams who made this deployment an overwhelming success.”
The Wizards began and concluded their deployment in U.S. 7th Fleet, executing key training missions in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and participating in a Multi-Large Deck Exercise (MLDE) with the Italian Navy’s ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group and conducting operations in the South China Sea to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The strike group was ordered to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Iranian-backed Houthi capabilities and defend U.S. forces to promote security, stability and prosperity.
While operating in the Middle East, the Wizards played a key role in supporting CENTCOM objectives, participating in dual-carrier operations with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), flying critical combat missions to ensure the safety of deployed U.S. forces, and aiding in strikes to degrade Houthi weapons storage capabilities.
"This deployment will go down in history,” said VAQ-133 Command Master Chief Frederick Tuiel, summing up the deployment. “While it wasn't filled with port visits, it was defined by impactful combat operations—experiences our Sailors will share for years to come. Bringing everyone home safely makes the accomplishment even sweeter."
The squadron earned the Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (CVWP) Golden Wrench Award for maintenance excellence demonstrating the Wizard’s dedication to excellence. Wizard maintainers sustained 100 percent Growler mission-readiness throughout the deployment, enabling the successful completion of all assigned missions.
“The dedication of the Sailors of VAQ-133 was second to none,” Dente said. “Their hard work kept our Growlers fully mission capable and ensured every mission was a success. Whether from administration, operations, safety, maintenance, intelligence or food service and support divisions, it took every Sailor to build and maintain the combat power required during our operations.”
In addition to operational accomplishments, the deployment included port calls to Guam in August and Kuala Lumpur in November, offering Sailors a chance to recharge and experience diverse cultures while supporting U.S. partner nations.
ABECSG completed more than 11,600 flight hours comprised of 5,500 sorties and over 4.400 fixed-wing aircraft launches and arrestments throughout its five-month deployment. The embarked next-generation, multi-platform CVW 9 enables advance mobile projection of naval air power and forward operational presence.
CVW 9 consists of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeye, C-2A Greyhound and MH-60R/S Seahawk. The squadrons are the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; the “Black Aces” of VFA 41; the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151; the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117; the “Wizards” of (VAQ) 133; the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71; the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14; and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.
ABECSG consists of the flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21; Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9; integrated air and missile defense Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121); and DESRON 21’s USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106) remain deployed in the 5th Fleet area of operations supporting global maritime security operations.
Story courtesy of the Carrier Strike Group 3. 
Navy Declares Initial Operational Capability for Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band System
The Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system in December, bringing a quantum leap in capability over legacy systems with drastic increases in power, target flexibility and jamming technique for Naval Aviation operations worldwide.
“Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band improves our fleet’s warfighting advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum,” said Rear Adm. John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. “This system provides enhanced capabilities to deny, distract and disorient adversaries’ radars, protecting our naval aviators and allowing them to carry out their missions in contested airspace.”
The fleet got a preview of the jammer’s high-end capabilities during Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s five-month deployment this year. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 deployed with the system aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time NGJ-MB was used both deployed and in combat.
IOC signals the design, testing and production of this capability meet the logistical needs of the carrier air wings and EA-18G Growler squadrons.
“What an incredible day for the U.S. Navy, our Australian partners and the airborne electronic attack (AEA) community,” said Capt. David Rueter, Airborne Electronic Attack Systems program manager. “The achievement of NGJ-MB IOC is a positive reflection on the hard work, innovation and resilience from a dedicated team of government and industry professionals who have developed and fielded this critical capability to the warfighters.”
The NGJ-MB system, developed by Raytheon, an RTX business, is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System currently used on the EA-18G Growler. NGJ-MB uses the latest digital, software-based and electronically-scanned array technologies and provides enhanced AEA capabilities to disrupt, deny, and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems.
“NGJ-MB will boost our fleet's ability to maintain spectrum dominance. Yielding new capabilities is critical for addressing current and future threats. The era of isolated surface-to-air missile systems, which operate within a non-agile and limited frequency range, is behind us,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Bedwell, EA-18G Naval Flight Officer and NGJ-MB Deputy Integrated Product Team Lead.
The Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office is responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining AEA systems, providing combatant commanders with capabilities that enable mission success.
From the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office.