VAQ-137 World Famous Rooks EA-18G Model Fly off the USS Roosevelt again with the VAQ-137 Rooks in this 18 inch wooden EA-18G model. Each piece is carefully carved from wood and painted to provide a unique piece. Length - 18 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran Owned Business The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. The Rooks first deployed in 1974 with CVW-14 for a Western Pacific cruise onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), providing essential electronic surveillance for Operation FREQUENT WIND, the evacuation of Americans from Saigon. Between 1976 and 1978, the Rooks made two Mediterranean cruises with CVW-6 onboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). In April 1976, the squadron provided standoff ECM support for the evacuation of Americans from Beirut, Lebanon. Between 1979 and 1982, the Rooks made three WESTPAC cruises with CVW-2 onboard the USS RANGER (CV 61). In 1983, the Rooks joined CVW-3 for an action-packed Med cruise onboard USS KENNEDY (CV 67). In November, they participated in the air strike against an Iranian training camp at Baalbek, Lebanon. In February 1984, the Rooks flew support missions while multi-national peacekeeping forces pulled out of Lebanon. Between 1985 and 1987, the squadron made two Med cruises with CVW-17 onboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60). In March 1986, the Rooks participated in the successful air strike against an SA-5 site at Sirte, Libya. In 1989, the Rooks joined CVW-1 for a Med and Indian Ocean cruise onboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). During nine months at sea, the Rooks participated in nine major exercises in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. When the United States evacuated the Beirut Embassy in September, the Rooks were airborne within hours of entering the Mediterranean Sea providing EW support to the operation. In December 1990, the Rooks deployed aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66) in August 1991. The Rooks were the first EA-6B squadron that fought in DESERT STORM to return to the area arriving on station a mere 12 months after the war. The Rooks last deployment prior to disestablishment ended in February 1994. During that deployment, the Rooks participated in operation CONTINUE HOPE over Somalia, SOUTHERN WATCH over Iraq and DENY FLIGHT over Bosnia. The Rooks were formally disestablished on 26 May 1994, however were re-established on 3 October 1996 onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Upon reaching full operational capability, the Rooks were assigned to CVW-1 and deployed onboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). During the 1997deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, the Rooks led the EA-6B community and CVW-1 in all operational parameters: At the conclusion of the deployment, the Rooks were awarded the Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, Battle Efficiency Award for outstanding performance during 1997. In September of 1999, the Rooks deployed onboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 64). The Rooks were both the first and last members of CVW-1 to fly missions in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH combat sorties. The Rooks deployed on the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) on September 19, 2001 and spent a record 159 days at sea during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In February of 2003 the Rooks began Pre-deployment workups. After a disjointed schedule they completed Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA) III and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) IN September 2003 and began deployment on October 3, 2003 with Carrier Air Wing ONE (CVW-1) onboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). In May 2006, the Rooks deployed onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) as a component of Carrier Air Wing ONE and Carrier Strike Group TWO. VAQ-137 successfully conducted split site operations in AL ASAD, Iraq in direct support of the Global War on Terrorism. In July 2007, the Rooks found themselves going back to support the troops in Iraq from the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in the Persian Gulf. The Rooks successfully helped ensure the safety of So