Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) "Gauntlets" is a United States Navy Electronic attack squadron flying the EA-18G Growler and is currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Two, deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions including F2T2EA.

In 1980 the squadron flew across the Pacific Ocean to their new home in NAF Atsugi, Japan with Carrier Air Wing Five and USS Midway, based at Yokosuka.

Commander Justin Greene was on the verge of completing his 1,000th carrier arrestment, his celebration cake was given a respectful deposit at sea uneaten.

On 16 April 1990, as part of the Cope Thunder exercise, the squadron successfully fired a live AGM-88 HARM missile at a U.S. Air Force target radar off the coast of the Philippines.

The squadron began 1995 with operations in the Yellow Sea before proceeding south to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold off the coast of Thailand.

Early in 1997 USS Independence commenced a four month cruise, transiting to Guam, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and then Hong Kong, the last U.S. carrier to port there before its reversion to Chinese control.

On 2 March 1999, VAQ-136 and the Kitty Hawk Battle group departed Yokosuka, Japan for three months of routine operations and exercises in the Western Pacific.

The squadron participated in the multi-national and multi-service exercise Tandem Thrust off Guam before USS Kitty Hawk was ordered to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

When Kitty Hawk pulled into Dubai, UAE, for several days of liberty, the squadron was tasked to provide uninterrupted Electronic Warfare support for coalition aircraft flying from Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Saudi Arabia.

In February 2012, the Navy announced that the squadron would transfer to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in early 2012 to prepare for reequipping with the EA-18G Growler.