OAK HARBOR, Wash. – A 2007 North County High School graduate and Watsonville, Calif., native is serving with the U.S. Navy’s aviation Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132), also known as the “Scorpions”.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Madeline Torres is an aviation ordnanceman with VAQ-132, a Whidbey 
Island-based squadron that operates the Navy’s newest electronic warfare aircraft, the EA-18G Growler.
Torres contributes to the squadron’s mission by maintaining the jet’s weapons including the missiles and radar jamming pods that load onto the wings of the aircraft.
Built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft and the cornerstone of the naval Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) mission. It’s platform is derived from the combat proven F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, and adds a sophisticated electronic warfare suite that enables it to suppress enemy air defenses as well as electronic attack operations.
“It’s a great jet to work on and it’s weapons and warfare capabilities are really impressive,” said Torres.
The Growler has two seats, is over 60 feet long, and can weigh up to 66,000 lbs. when fully loaded with all missiles and electronic jammers. It is capable of traveling over 1,100 miles per hour; around 1.5 times the speed of sound.
Torres said she is proud to be a part of the 187-member squadron that is ready to defend America at all times and enjoys working with them.
“We get spoiled with all the traveling we can do with this squadron. We’ve been to Iraq, Italy, Japan, Guam, Australia, and South Korea, Hawaii and Alaska,” explained Torres.
Sailors’ jobs are highly varied with VAQ-132. The men and women keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining aircraft airframes and engines, to processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft.
“Every day I am constantly impressed by my exceptional sailors,” said Cmdr. William R. McCombs, VAQ-132’s commanding officer. “My team is filled with hardworking and highly qualified professionals who hold uncommon levels of responsibility and accountability in support of our mission: Provide worldwide tactical Airborne Electronic Attack against targets at sea or ashore in support of U.S. and Coalition combat forces. They embody the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment to the fullest!”