OAK HARBOR — Electronic Attack Squadron 135 is scheduled to arrive home at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station this weekend after spending six months at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
The U.S. Navy jets are set to arrive at noon Saturday, while support and maintenance personnel will come home at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, base officials said.
The “Black Ravens” fly and maintain EA-6B radar-jamming jets, and were used to support ground troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The Nimitz is scheduled to arrive at its home port in San Diego on Sunday.
The 200 men and women assigned to the squadron left April 2. Its jets flew more than 390 hours of combat missions.
A deployment highlight was working with the Indian and other navies. The squadron also participated in several large-scale exercises off the coast of Guam with two other aircraft carrier strike groups.
Also returning are 20 members of the Sea Operational Detachment, who provide technical support to keep the jets in top condition.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.