VAQ-134 was originally commissioned on 7 June 1969 at NAS Alameda, CA as the ‘Garudas.’ Based on an old Hindu myth, the Garuda is the bird that took Wisnu, the God of War, wherever necessary in his quest to protect God's creation from those evil forces that sought to destroy it. The Garudas originally flew the EA-3B "Skywarrior" and sundowned the aircraft in 1971. The Garudas were reactivated as
an EA-6B "Prowler" squadron in 1972 and moved their homeport to NAS Whidbey Island, WA. Assigned to USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) with Carrier Air Wing NINE, they embarked on their first deployment with the new EA-6Bs to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) in 1973. Upon their return, the squadron made deployments onboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN, USS ENTERPRISE (CV 65) with Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN in 1976, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT in 1980, and USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) with Carrier Air Wing NINE in 1981. Following a move to Carrier Air Wing FIFTEEN, they deployed on the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). They would remain with the USS CARL VINSON where they supported Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. In 1992 they joined the KITTY HAWK on her first full deployment, supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and once again in 1994. In 1995, the squadron was stood up as an expeditionary squadron, deploying to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. As an expeditionary unit, VAQ-134 supported Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, and ALLIED FORCE. From 2000-2003, the Garudas supported Operations NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and then the Global War on Terror in 2004. In 2009, they were gained by Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN onboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) for a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTAINEX) and deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. IN 2012, they moved to Carrier Air Wing EIGHT on the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Displaying unmatched flexibility, the Garudas shifted from providing support to the historic 2014 presidential elections in Afghanistan to assisting citizens under siege in Iraq, then shifting again to support multi-national strikes in Syria. The Garudas acted as the theater’s lead Electronic Warfare advocates, leveraging organic intelligence capabilities and integrating multiple joint assets to develop innovative Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. The Squadron’s efforts ensured the delivery of optimized fires against a capable and evolving enemy. The Maintenance Department has been exceptionally critical to the success of the squadron. Their efforts allowed the squadron to execute 100 percent of their combat sorties in support of every operation, to include a historic three-Prowler mission in support of coalition strikes in Syria in the Navy’s final EA-6B combat sortie. The Garudas ended the 2014 Deployment earning the coveted Carrier Air Wing EIGHT “TOP HOOK” award for the 2014 Deployment cycle. This is virtually unheard of in the age of fly-by-wire and HUD capable aircraft, and a testament to the entire squadron’s tireless effort and pride in the EA-6B airframe. During the month of June, 2015, The Garudas of VAQ-134 closed out the great history of the EA-6B culminating with the Prowler Sunset Celebration and final flight down to PT. Adding to the festivities, the Garudas were proud to fly CAPT Wilmot, USN (ret.) during the final flight at NASWI. CAPT Wilmot was the first pilot to fly a Prowler to Whidbey Island . Officially transitioned from the EA-6B Prowler, the squadron aircrew and maintainers set their eyes toward their first deployment in the EA-18G Growler while continuing to uphold the Garuda pride and traditions learned throughout the years.
