The Shadowhawks of VAQ-141 were established in July 1987 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, as the Navy's twelfth operational EA-6B Prowler squadron. The squadron soon began a long record of carrier operations and combat deployments. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Shadowhawks fired AGM-88 HARM missiles on the opening night and later supported humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Provide Comfort.
Over the following years, VAQ-141 flew combat and support missions during operations including Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Allied Force, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, after completing its final combat deployment with the EA-6B Prowler, the squadron began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler. On February 5, 2010, the Shadowhawks became only the second operational squadron certified Safe for Flight in the Growler.
In 2011, VAQ-141 participated in the first carrier deployment of the EA-18G Growler and flew the first carrier-based Growler combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. The following year, the Shadowhawks relocated to Japan as part of the Navy's forward-deployed forces. Today, VAQ-141 continues to fly the EA-18G Growler from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, carrying forward nearly four decades of electronic attack history and the distinctive Shadowhawks identity.
