Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron
FIVE Detachment FIVE

VQ-5 Det 5 is a permanently assigned 2-plane detachment to Carrier Air Wing FIVE(CVW-5) which deploys on board USS INDEPENDENCE and when ashore is homeported at NAF Misawa, Japan. The detachment flies the ES-3A "Shadow", providing indications and warnings for Commander, Carrier Group FIVE. Normally assigned to the Command and Control Warfare Commander for primary mission tasking, the detachment also flys in support of other warfare commanders. Missions flown by the detachment include over-the-horizon targeting, strike support, war at sea and reconnaissance. The ES-3A is configured as an airborne refueling platform and can be utilized in the airborne tanking role.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance FIVE(VQ-5) is the parent squadron for the detachment and homeported at NAS North Island, CA. The squadron consists of 4 two-plane detachments, with three located at the parent command in North Island and VQ-5 Det 5 in Misawa, JA. VQ-5 was an Arleigh Burke Award winner for 1995 and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1996. The squadron has won one Battle Efficiency "E" during its existance. The squadron was established at NAS Agana, Guam in 1991 and then moved to NAS North Island in 1994 in order to provide more effective support to fleet assets. In response to 7th Fleet directive, VQ-5 Det 5 was established in 1994 to provide support in the Western Pacific area of responsibility.

VQ-5 Det 5 also flies missions in support of Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, 7th Fleet. The reconnaissance mission allows the detachment outstanding intelligence opportunities as demonstrated by the picture of the Peoples Republic of China F-8 Finback.

On board USS INDEPENDENCE in autumn , 1993, the detachment was known as VQ-5 Det Alpha and had the distinction of being the first operational ES-3A detachment to conduct a carrier deployment. It deployed with INDEPENDENCE and CVW-5 to the Arabian Gulf in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. Upon permanent assignment to CVW-5, the detachment's name now reflects the air wing it is permanently assigned to, thus VQ-5 Det 5. VQ-5 Det 5 has participated in the following deployments and operations: OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH(2 deployments), RIMPAC(2 deployments), FOAL EAGLE(2 deployments), COBRA GOLD, VALIANT USHER, VIGILANT SENTINEL, COPE NORTH, TEAM SPIRIT, Annual Ex and various contingency operations. In addition, VQ-5 Det 5 is the only carrier borne VQ detachment which routinely conducts joint and multinational operations due to its unique location in Japan.

The ES-3A "Shadow" replaced the venerable Douglas EA-3B "Skywarrior", also known as the "Whale", when it retired from the fleet. The ES-3A "Shadow" is a highly modified version of the The S-3A Viking. The ES-3A crew is comprised of an Electronic Warfare(EW) Aircraft Commander, an EW Combat Coordinator, and two enlisted EW mission specialists. The enlisted operators skillfully use the sophisticated surveillance equipment to detect, analyze and locate electronic emissions to perform assigned tasking.

The squadron Commanding Officer is CDR Dave W. Robey and the detachment Officer in Charge is LCDR Douglas R. Martin. The detachment's mailing address is as follows: