OAK HARBOR – Nearly 250 members of Electronic Attack Squadron 134 “Garudas” and a maintenance crew are scheduled to return here at 8 a.m. Saturday after a six-month deployment to a land base in Afghanistan.
The squadron’s EA-6B radar-jamming jets supported ground forces engaged in anti-terrorist activities as part of operations in Afghanistan, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station officials said.
The squadron, which includes Navy and Air Force fliers, left Ault Field in July. It completed nearly 650 missions, flying more than 1,900 hours. The squadron had 180 consecutive days of combat operations.
It was the second deployment for the unit to Afghanistan in two years. Participating service members received awards including the Combat Action Ribbon and the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award.
Many in the squadron volunteered to help in Pakistani earthquake relief efforts and at a base hospital where Afghanistan nationals were treated.
About 25 people returning are members of the Van Operational Detachment, which provides aircraft maintenance to keep the jets in flying condition.
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