The EA-18G Growler officially arrived at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, last June 3, 2008, ushering in the next generation of naval electronic attack aircraft. The event marked the beginning of the much anticipated transition from the Vietnam-era EA-6B Prowler.

Presiding over the event were the Honorable Donald Winter, Secretary of the Navy; Jim Albaugh, executive vice president of The Boeing Company; US Rep. Rick Larsen; Captain Bradley Russell, commodore of Electronic Attack Wing, US Pacific Fleet; and Oak Harbor Mayor Jim Slowik.

As a more advanced and user-friendly aircraft, the Growler will require less manpower, cutting the four-man crew of the Prowler to only two.

The Navy has placed an order of approximately 85 Growler aircraft. VAQ-132 will be the first deploying squadron to receive the EA-18G, in 2009.