Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) was established at NAS Alameda, California, on 4 March 1969. Equipped with Douglas EKA-3B and KA-3B Skywarriors, the VAQ-133 Wizards performed electronic countermeasures and aerial refueling missions over the Tonkin Gulf during two Vietnam War deployments in 1969-70 on board the Constellation (CVA-64) and 1970-71 on board the Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). Upon return in 1971, the Wizards changed home port to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, to become part of the growing electronic warfare community based there. Giving up their Skywarriors and the aerial refueling mission, the Wizards became the first fleet squadron to operate the new expanded-capability version of the Grumman EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft.
VAQ-133 took the EA-6B on its first Mediterranean deployment, in January 1974 on board the America (CV66). The squadron made five more deployments to the Mediterranean on the John F. Kennedy (CV-67), the Forrestal (CV-59), and the America by 1981. The Wizards returned to the western Pacific for two deployments on board the Enterprise (CVN-65) before upgrading to the ICAP II (improved capability II) version of the Prowler in 1985.
In 1986, VAQ-133 deployed on board the Enterprise for the ICAP II version's first western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. The squadron accompanied the Enterprise as she entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal in April as a precautionary measure following the retaliatory strikes against Libya the previous month. After tensions eased, the Wizards returned home on board the Enterprise via the Cape of Good Hope.
After two Mediterranean deployments on board the Coral Sea (CV-43), VAQ-133 upgraded to the ICAP II Block 86 version of the EA-6B. The Wizards made one final deployment to the Mediterranean in 1991, flying 39 missions from the Forrestal over northern Iraq in support of Operation Provide Comfort.
As part of the post-Cold War force structure drawdown, VAQ-133, as a component of Carrier Air Wing Six, was disestablished on 1 June 1992. Its demise turned out to be premature, however, as the Defense Department decided to replace Air Force EF-111A Raven electronic warfare squadrons with four EA-6B squadrons. A new VAQ-133 was established on 1 April 1996 as an expeditionary squadron.