VAQ-141

Electronic Attack Squadron 141 (VAQ-141), also known as the "Shadowhawks", is an EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy that is based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. VAQ-141 falls under the command of Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (COMVAQWINGPAC) and flies in support of Carrier Air Wing 5 aboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73).

War on Terror
In April 2001, the squadron deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 8 on board the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). They participated in exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and North Sea and took part in enforcing the Iraqi no-fly zones as part of Operation Southern Watch. The squadron was on its way home when the September 11 attacks occurred in New York City. Carrier Air Wing 8’s deployment was extended and they were sent to join other U.S. Navy assets in the northern Arabian Sea. Shortly thereafter, VAQ-141 provided electronic attack in support of coalition air and ground forces during the opening stages of the invasion of Afghanistan also known as Operation Enduring Freedom.

In September 2005, The Shadowhawks once again deployed with CVW-8 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While still in the Mediterranean 2 EA-6Bs and a detachment of support personnel from VAQ-141 left CVW-8's home, The USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew to Al Asad air base to augment VMAQ-1 to fill the void left by the previous carrier leaving the AOR. With this, VAQ-141 became the first EA-6B squadron to conduct split ship-shore operations in Iraq.

In September 2008 VAQ-141 departed Naval Station Norfolk aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Ship steamed south to visit Cape Town South Africa, and in doing so, the Roosevelt became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to visit the port. The ship soon rounded the Cape of Good Hope and sailed north, Setting up station in the North Persian Gulf, Flying missions in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan. In April 2009, VAQ-141 flew off the Roosevelt and into history landing in NAS Whidbey Island for the last time as an EA-6B squadron.

On February 12, 2010, the Shadowhawks were deemed "safe for flight" with the EA-18G Growler, becoming the second operational squadron to transition to the aircraft.

In July 2011, the squadron deployed to the Middle East aboard the carrier George Bush. During the deployment, the squadron's commanding officer, Commander Karl Pugh, was removed as CO after an "alcohol-related incident" in Bahrain.

In February 2012, the Navy announced that the Shadowhawks would be transferred to NAS Atsugi in the spring of 2012 to join Carrier Air Wing 5 and the USS George Washington (CVN-73) replacing VAQ-136.