In February 2003 the squadron began pre-deployment workups, completing TSTA III and COMTUEX in September 2003 and began deployment on 3 October 2003 with CVW-1 on board . In early December 2003 the squadron were notified during a port call in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that a detachment from the squadron was needed in Bagram Airfield Afghanistan. Less than 48 hours after official notification arrived, the squadron offloaded and transported approximately 17,000 pounds of cargo and more than 30 people to Bagram, and set up spaces to catch the inbound aircraft from the ship, becoming the first EA-6B Prowler squadron to be forward deployed to the base. In January 2004 the squadron was relieved by EA-6Bs from VAQ-142 and redeployed to USS "Enterprise" to complete their deployment.