The Lancers of VAQ-131 arrived home last week after a successful deployment aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) supporting Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and New Dawn (OND). The Lincoln left NAS North Island, Calif., back Sept. 11, 2010 for a scheduled six-month combat deployment.

“It’s a great feeling to be done with deployment and be back home with family and friends,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman Matthew Thackery.

VAQ-131 and Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) prepared for deployment with a compressed five-month work up cycle consisting of Deck Certification, Electronic Advanced Warfare Readiness Program, Tailored Ship’s Training Assessment, Air Wing Fallon and Composite Training Unit Exercise 10-3.

The Lancers then spent the first month of cruise transiting the Pacific and Indian oceans grooming their jets and preparing the maintainers and aircrews for rigorous combat operations.

“This squadron has come a long way since the beginning of work ups and every Sailor in this Command deserves credit for everything we’ve achieved and the contributions we’ve made to the fight,” said Cmdr. Tom Huerter, VAQ-131 Commanding Officer.

The squadron spent more than four months on station in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility supporting OEF and OND. The Lancers flew a total of 772 combat hours and 143 combat sorties directly supporting U.S. and Coalition ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The command’s four Prowlers provided vital Electronic Attack support against enemy communication systems throughout deployment.

“The entire squadron adapted successfully to the challenges of flying combat sorties daily,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Richards, VAQ-131 Tactics Officer. “We received feedback from the troops regularly on how effective our jamming was to the success of their mission.”

The 160 men and women of the Lancers worked long hours under grueling conditions to provide fully mission capable jets. They dedicated over 45,000 maintenance man-hours working on the jets to achieve a 100 percent combat sortie completion rate. Overall, the squadron safely flew nearly 1,200 hours and 400 sorties throughout the 2010-2011 deployment.

“We take pride in providing the aircrew with fully mission capable jets,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Adam Wilson. “Every member of this team realized how important we were to the guys on the ground.”

The Lancers also enjoyed several port calls throughout the deployment with the Lincoln pulling into Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, Dubai, Singapore and Hawaii.

“Our Sailors had an amazing time in port while setting the standard for conduct on liberty for the entire strike group,” said Command Master Chief Gino Wolfe.

VAQ-131 received strong support from family and friends throughout the deployment. VAQ-131 was welcomed home last Friday and Saturday by cheering family and friends at an event organized by the Family Readiness Group, ombudsman and Spouse’s Club.

“We could not have accomplished our mission without the unconditional love and support of our families,” said Lt. Adam VandenBoogaard.