The squadron's success in its mission was shown by the establishment in 1983 of VAQ-34, a second electronic aggressor squadron.
The squadron was formed to to provide realistic training for ship crews to counter Soviet electronic and cruise-missile threats, and was modeled after its East Coast counterpart, VAQ-33.
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When Rosemary Bryant Mariner assumed command in 1990, VAQ-34 became the first U.S. Military aviation squadron to be commanded by a woman.
VAQ-35 joined VAQ-33 and VAQ-34, the other electronic aggressor squadrons of the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group in their mission of providing training for fleet radar operators in countering radar jamming and deception.
He then served on board the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVS-33), with two follow-on tours as a flight instructor for fleet replacement navigators with Heavy Attack Squadron 123 at the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington and Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, where he served as Celestial and Radar Navigation Instructor.
The VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets departed Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California on 18 January 2007 for the USS John C. Stennis to begin their seven-month Western pacific deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), during which they supported the ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
While deployed VAQ-139 conducted missions in Operation New Dawn (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) providing around the clock Electronic Warfare Support to coalition forces engaged in combat.
The squadron conducted the first ever combat operations of the EA-18G from sea, supporting both Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.
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While still in the Mediterranean 2 EA-6Bs and a detachment of support personnel from VAQ-141 left CVW-8's home, The USS Theodore Roosevelt and flew to Al Asad air base to augment VMAQ-1 to fill the void left by the previous carrier leaving the AOR.
In late May, a detachment went to NAWC Pt Mugu, CA and took part in a live fire HARM shoot over the coastal waters.
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During this second deployment in support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH, the Gray Wolves successfully launched the first combat HARM launches from the new Block 89A Prowler.
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Following that exercise, the Gray Wolves took part in a live fire HARM shoot out of NAWC Point Mugu, CA.