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By IT1 Stephen WolffVAQ-132

The Scorpions of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 left a lasting impression in Las Vegas as they recently returned from a 12-day detachment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. participating in this year’s Mission Employment Phase (ME Phase).

Conducted semiannu-ally by the U.S. Air Force, ME Phase is a joint exer-cise that serves as a final evaluation for the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) students. Students from both services are exposed to a wide range of missions, including air combat, strike warfare and combat search and rescue.

“ME is such a great opportunity to fly and work in a joint environment” said Cmdr. Jeff Craig, then VAQ-

132 executive officer.Throughout the final

phase, students are required to extensively plan, brief, and execute various mis-sions, ensuring the most effective tactics and inter-service integration is achieved during simulated wartime scenarios.

“It is important to par-ticipate in large force events with multiple platforms as the goal of such future joint war fighting capabili-ties is quickly becoming a reality now,” Craig said. The importance of it will certain-ly dictate the future. “We’re training to hone our skills, training to be ready, when we’re required to be ready!”

The long hours of exhaus-tive training paid dividends as VAQ-132 made its pres-ence known during the large force exercise. In con-junction with EAWS, VAQ-132 participated in several Mission Employment Large Force Exercise (LFE) mis-

sions and a number of Unit Level Training sorties.

From day one it was apparent that the E/A-18G Growler was going to have a large overriding impact in ensuring mission success. As the superior electronic attack aircraft for the joint war fighter, the Growler was able to show a high level of mission effectiveness above the battlefield.

“I’m very happy to see the progression of the Growler

from infancy to its current state of capability,” said Lt. Cmdr. Doug White, VAQ-132 training officer.

The Growler is fast, high-ly maneuverable and gives the war fighter total situ-ational awareness in today’s complex battle space. With its updated H5E plus soft-ware and electronics pack-age integrated into the fight, the Scorpions exhibited a high level of proficiency and superior execution.

At the end of the exercise, White was “very pleased with the impression the squadron left with the Air Force.”

As excited as the Air Force was to have us at Nellis, VAQ-132’s success was due to the hard work of the administration, intel-ligence, and maintenance departments. Special thanks goes out to the Scorpions maintenance department for keeping the jets mission-ready in sweltering heat.

“None of the success of the exercise could have been realized without the hard work of the entire VAQ-132 team,” said Craig, adding that the maintainers’ efforts resulted in over forty-five flight hours and electronic warfare support for every strike mission conducted.

“Everybody, at every level, took it to the limit keeping planes in the air, and the team in the fight!” said Craig.

Scorpions light it up in Las Vegas

IT1 Stephen Wolff

Scorpion plane captains AE1 Joel Bryant, left, and AE3 James Pruiett look on as Cmdr. Scott Bunnay and Lt. Cmdr Michael Szczerbinski finish final checks.

By Lt.j.g Justin JonesVAQ-132 Public Affairs Officer

Cmdr. Jeff Craig relieved Cmdr. Scott Bunnay as Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 “Scorpions” in a ceremony held at NAS Whidbey Island on July 15.

Under Bunnay’s leader-ship, VAQ-132 became the first operational EA-6B “Prowler” squadron to begin transitioning to the EA-18G “Growler” in February 2009.

During the transition VAQ-132 became the first operational squadron to achieve Safe-For-Flight sta-tus in September 2009, while flying over 1,200 mishap-free hours during the transi-tion.

Bunnay will now report to Washington, D.C. for a fellowship at the Brookings Institute.

Craig, a native of Panama City, Fla., graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. After comple-tion of initial training in the EA-6B at VAQ-129, he was assigned as a pilot to VAQ-139, onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In February 2000, Craig reported to Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) as an EA-6B Instructor Pilot and was designated a

Prowler Tactics Instructor in June 2000. In 2002, he was assigned to VAQ-137 to complete his depart-ment head tour in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom onboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65). In November 2005, Craig reported to the Joint Staff J-3 Directorate, Washington, D.C. as an

action officer in the Space and Missile Defense Division of the Global Operations Directorate.

In 2008, he was assigned as executive officer of VAQ-129, where he transitioned to the EA-18G Growler before reporting to VAQ-132 in May 2009 to serve as execu-tive officer.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to serve alongside this dedicated group of pro-fessionals. I am amazed daily at the commitment, pride,

and dedication shown by every member of this squad-ron,” said Craig during his remarks. “I am humbled and inspired to lead this group through the upcoming com-bat deployment. Scorpions continue to set the standard in naval aviation.”

Command of Scorpions changes

Cmdr. Jeff A. Craig

A chance to hear State of the StationCapt. Gerral David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer, will present the State of the Station address at the Skywarrior Theatre on Monday, July 26 at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 27 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The brief lasts about 45 minutes and offers time for ques-tions and answers.The state of the station presentation includes all kinds of interesting information on base population, aircraft transitions, demolition plans, construction projects, environmen-tal accomplishments as well as what the future holds for the base.All base personnel (military, civilian and contractor) are invited to attend. This is a great opportunity to come and find out everything you ever wanted to know (but were afraid to ask) about NAS Whidbey Island.