EA-6B Prowler: No Plane on Earth can Really Match
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- čas přidán 20. 02. 2022
- Since the Vietnam war, the EA-6B Prowler has been the U.S. Navy’s primary carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, jamming enemy radars and providing an umbrella of protection for enemy tracking systems for U.S. attack and fighter aircraft.
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Thanks - Věda a technologie
Joined Prowlers in 1987. Served with them/supporting them putting trons on target for 21 years. Great aircraft, and an awesome and dedicated team of professionals keeping that platform flying. Hard work, long missions, dedicated engineers, and a huge team of technicians, mechanics, riggers, ordnance, and maintenance managers kept this workhorse alive and well. As Maintenance Master Chief of many squadrons, I can honestly say Team Whidbey, NADEP Jax, all the support echelons keeping these jets in the air are the best there ever was, and I am honored to have been part of that team!
hey, maybe you should tell that guy Thomas Delgado that there are no more Prowlers or Upgrades. that the EA-18 has taken that role outright.
Thanks to you for protecting us!
Thanks for sharing your story. I was an aircraft mechanic for the prowler from 2016-2018. My class was the very LAST airframe class at whidbey island before we hit the fleet at cherrypoint. When they sundowned the Q squadrons, we lat moved to the harriers.
@@cjvitale9775 we deployed to the Persian Gulf for OIF 2005-2006. I had two jets in Iraq at Al Assad working side by side with Q1. No one more I would want to be deployed into combat with. Got to reconnect with several Marines I worked with at VAQ-129 2001-2004. Great bunch of Devil Dogs!
👍👍
As a young engineer this was my first “baby” at Grumman along with the A6 Intruder. I worked on the structural dynamics for carrier catapults and landings making sure the frame and landing gear didn’t break. These things could haul and land with awesome payloads.
One time my Mum's letterbox fell over and I made it stand upright again.
Obviously I'm not trying to one-up you, but I would say we are about even.
@@LeatherCladVegan Some can't even do that.
Empty airframe was 18,000 lbs carrying a max fuel load of 22,000 lbs and a payload of 18,000 lbs (IIRC). For comparison, the famed B17 had a max payload of 4800 lbs. (I am 139926, Dad was 57576.)
very lucky guy😂💕💕💕💕💕
@@andrewlayton9760 If that's your perm number, then we started about the same time at Grumman - I'm 138xxx. I was in Field Ops, where did you work, and where did your dad work?
The ability to predetonate IED's aloft is freaking worth a Nobel pirze!
Flying microwave oven! Hard telling how many servicemen and enemies ended up have one less kid after being hit with a heavy dose of electromagnetic “STFU” from a flight of these overhead. The ALQ-99 has been rumored to be able to set stuff on fire at a distance with its RF output power!
Tell that to the B52s that went down over Hanoi
@@user-hf7is6ui7f
😪
Detonate before it detonates? 🤔
@@user-hf7is6ui7f When they were ordered to fly the same pttern over and over and it took a few downed to get the upper REMF's attention that maybe it might be a good idea to vary the approach, it wasn't the fault of the bomber or the crew.
That little problem was from higher ups doing stupid shit , again.
Standing a few feet away from an EA-6B Prowler as those engined powered up just prior to the catapult launching it down the flight deck of an aircraft carrier was an intense experience. The noise level was incomparable, and would have every molecule in your body vibrating at a high frequency. It was so intensely loud even your soul would vibrate.
LOL know what you mean I did final checker a few times at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington State. What a Rush! Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
A sound that was as much physically felt as heard! Worked "O" level maintenance for VAQ-136 when I was in. I was on deck to catch a bird one night when someone stepped across the foul line and they waved it off. It shrieked down the deck at maybe 10 feet...damn that was a spooky sound!
No doubt! They had to be the loudest jet in the inventory for as slow as they were lol.
@@keithnoneya I was attached to VA-128 Airframes.
@@chrstfr VAQ-129, VAQ-137, VAQ-309, VFA-305, HCS-85. Several AIMD's and a DRP. Had some friends in VA-145. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
I worked depot-level sheet metal on these in the Marine squadrons for 7 years. The aircraft were epic, the squadrons were awesome, and the platform really pushed my skills. They were sundowning, and parts were scarce, so we had to make a lot from scratch. Honestly, I really miss these big, loud beasts. And I am firmly in the camp that nothing in the inventory has even remotely replaced it.
Is that because the technology has evolved beyond the EA6B capabilities. With other attack F15, F16, F18 aircraft able to perform jamming and EW with add-on pods, rather than using a dedicated airframe.
Also, talking to some F35 pilots. It seems the F35 with it's sensor array is absolutely incredible at a very similar but more modern role without preparation when required. It is best staying stealthy but when the time comes to go bright, it can jam like nothing else and more specifically tailored to the threat.
I'm a retired British veteran WO grunt, so if I got it wrong please excuse my ignorance.
Oh how I wish I was 20+ again with all this new tech to call on. Just to give you some idea. My last hurrah was the 1991 Gulf War, where my well honed desert map reading and celestial navigation skills took second place to GPS. Same as my German, Polish and Russian linguistic skills were utterly useless fighting fucking arabs! Such is life in this crazy world. Added irony, now my sons are deployed ready to repel the Ruskies if they invade NATO territory.
Where is your previous President Trump when we need him most?
The marines need the growler
@@nickenglish1049 I was hoping they would do that while I was there, but the Marines seemed to want out of the EW business. Kinda sucked, but I heard the Growler is more of a pain to work on...
@@gusgone4527 Trump was Socialist media blasted and a senile man they wanted they wanted to control is now in the white house. Sniff Sniff!
@@gusgone4527 Gus, no other platform had the capabilities the Prowler carried. Sure there are other airframes that have jamming and self preservation capabilities, but nowhere near that of the Prowler. There is a reason strike groups are led by and won’t strike without Prowlers and now Growlers.
Technology has improved so much since the Prowler came into service, but no other aircraft flying today could do what an ICAP 3 EA-6B could with its crew of four. Had production lines of Grumman remained operable, the A-6, EA-6B, and maybe even the F-14, improved airframes with modern avionics would be in production still.
There’s a lot to be said for go-fast jets with guns and missiles, but if they can’t be seen because of jamming effectiveness of a 4-man crew, those go-fast are just real good at air superiority away from the strike group while they do their thing.
Huge fan of this platform since I read Flight of the Intruder as teenager dreaming about Naval Aviation in the original Top Gun era. Here's to all the men and women who supported, flew, and were supported by the Intruder and her variants!
Theres also a film called Flight of the Intruder . Its a bit 'Hollywood' but still a good film
EW planes are so underrated, and I've always wondered how good they work today.
I've never seen a modern video about how the systems work. Just they jam, detect, frequencies. Just footage even if it is not state out of the art. They are like explaining a car can move forward due to engines and wheels. It's elementary so if anyone has a good tactical and scientific visual video let me know
@@BazingaTing Cole Virgil Cole...
Same
@@Spacegoat92 a great movie, Cole Virgil Cole.
Yep one of the coolest little unknown aircraft platforms the public didn't know about. They were pretty cool because they would fly just outside the enemy radar while a supersonic strike force was inbound. Just before the strike force broke into enemy radar detection the EA-6B's would light up the jamming pods. The enemies radars would go nuts and they knew some crap was inbound, but couldn't tell from what direction and where they were going after the strike. They also used to have some Communications jammers onboard too, at least in the EXCAP birds. As an ATAN through AT1 (Aviation Electronics Technician) I worked on three versions of these jammers, the EA-6A, EA-6B EXCAP & the EA-6B ICAP II. We were loud and proud up there at NAS Whidbey Is. in Washington State. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
I'm a plank holder of VAQ-137, NAS Whidbey. Squadron commissioned 1973.
@@Laserblade Hey Shippy!!!!! I was I was an ATAN-AT2 there around 82-86, somewhere in there. LOL
@@keithnoneya Hey man, thank you for your service!
@@Laserblade Hey thanks for your service too, shippy!
My dad was a major contributor to the EA-6B's jamming system and then the EF-111. I saw these in action on the Nimitz in the 80s. Super cool platform!
I'm a retired U.S. Marine I've worked with all of the aircraft in your video, in ground support. Except the F-35. I'm a retired Gunnery Sergeant.
I was stationed at MCAS El Toro 1989-1991... were you ever there? I was with CSSD-14 1st FSSG Det Bravo
In college one of the university support staff who worked in our engineering department was a former navy veteran. This was about the time of the first gulf war and he told me the most impressive planes he ever saw launch of a carrier flight deck were the A6 Intruder and EA-6B Prowler. He spoke with admiration about the indestructible ruggedness of those planes that allowed them to fly in weather that would ground everything else in the carrier wing!
I had a friend who was an A6 navigator in Vietnam. He told me that one of it's most useful characteristics was the size of destructive payload that it could launch from the deck of a carrier. This was not among the A-6's design criteria. The F-111 also had a useful mission that was not a specific design objective. This was it's extended low altitude flight range. This characteristic allowed the F-111 to sneak into Libya from a low enough altitude that it was undetectable by radar.
"*former* Navy veteran" How does that work?
I miss these birds. The A6 frame was awesome. I miss the engines that I repaired at many levels. Salute to a great bird!
My dad, God rest his sole, was head of production support for the F-14 Tomcat at Grumman Aerospace.
He had an office in Bethpage and one in Calverton Long Island. He was proud of his affiliation with Grumman.
Hands down one of my favorites.Especially considering it’s capabilities during my tenure. Seeing it along with the F-4 gave a feeling of safety.
@William Bly
I agree with you 100%.
I was a AD Jet Mechanic for VS22 Squadron (S3 Viking Aircraft)
Deployed on the US John F. Kennedy CV67.
1984 to 1988.
The EA6B was fantastic to be around. Only 4 Aircraft issue to each Squadron for deployment.
You couldn't get permission to sit inside of the aircraft because of Secret equipment the aircraft was carrying on board.
@William Bly
Roger that
I know that we have far more advanced aircraft now, but the era of the Prowler, Corsair II and Phantom was such an incredible era of US military aviation. The Phantom remains my all time favorite aircraft.
@@vicentetroyhunt4980 You were part of such a great era of naval aviation. Obviously we have much more advanced and effective assets now, but the era of the F4/A7/E6/S3 was just awesome. Thank you for your service!
The A-6 and the EA-6 are one of the most beautiful aircrafts ever made.
Grew up not to far from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Could hear EA-6B's for miles around. I was always astonished how such a small plane in the sky could sound like mt.saint Helens was erupting again. Was amazing to see it flying around the Skagit valley, the sound from it's loud engines echoing around the valley. Now mainly see EA-18's flying around the valley. I'll say they certainly are quieter, but it is quiet nostalgic when they throttle up to head back to base, almost brining back the roar they valley inhabitants we're so use to when the EA-6B soared overhead.
The NIMBYSs, who have all moved to Whidbey long after Ault Field came into existence, are more opposed to the Growler than they were the Prowler.
I worked for VAQ-130 throughout the transition from EA-6B to EA-18G in 2011. Our squadron flew the Prowler in support of OEF and OIF off CVN-75 (Truman). I always thought the Prowler was beautiful, even though many considered it ugly. Loved it only like a parent could.
I was in VAQ-130 @ NAS Alameda through 1974 in EKA-3Bs. Got out just as they transitioned to the EA-6B and transfered to Whidby Island. Often wish I had stayed in for 30 years.
I was with VAQ-130 ZAPPERS from 74-78 NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND. Plank owners on the USS NIMITZ. Last deployment for me was on the USS FORRESTAL 78.
Nice! Fellow Zappers :) Oldest electronic attack squadron in the Navy!
I was in VAQ-132 when we went through the transition and then deployed to Al Assad for the first expeditionary deployment of the platform. Such an awesome platform and highly underrated in the battlespace other than those that have worked on them and with them.
It was most exciting moment of my Life . Been on USS Franklin D Roosevelt 1976. I was on the flight Deck laughing A-7 .Enjoy every Moment. Retire Navy Veteran. ⚓⚓🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My first duty station in the Navy was VAQ-138 out of Whidbey Island NAS. Whidbey Island was the only Navy base that flew the Prowler at that time. GREAT duty station!! I was assigned to AIMD and while deployed on the USS JFK, I worked in the EA-6B Vans performing maintenance on the On-Board systems. The EA-6B vans were self contained maintenance “conex boxes” that were moved onto the carrier prior to deployment and hung up and suspended in hanger bay 1.
Sad to see it go... Those were tanks. Northop Grumman got us through WW2, Korea, Vietnam, the Coldwar, and the current conflicts in the middle east. Such a great company. Made such great reliable aircraft, which were way ahead of their time.
Also landed us on the moon with the Lunar Module.
Having been a Final Checker in the Navy, inspecting my FA-18 A/B/C/D's, to clear them for takeoff, I despise this plane; every time one of the EA-6B's took off (even as we were standing much further to the side) the amount of hot carrier deck debris that its weird engines threw on everyone was painful and atrocious. However, as an Aviation Electronics Tech (avionics) and an American, I agree with you, this aircraft was badass.
🤣🤣
I grew up in a town several miles east of their west coast home of Ault Field at Oak Harbor. During the 60's they, along with their A6 cousins would fly overhead returning from their practice ranges at Boardman, OR. When hunting or working in the hills of the Cascade range, sometimes I'd find myself on ridges actually above their flight paths as they came thundering down the valleys. Still sends a chill up my back. Today, I watch their successors, the EA18G fly overhead.
Another plane that was used during Viet Nam for ECM work was the A-3 Skywarrior. I was in an ECM squadron 71-75...VAQ-33..based at N.A.S., Norfolk. We had four A-3's with the designation of ERA-3B. We also had some A-4 Skyhawks, two F-4's, and one EC-121 Super Constellation. We were an ECM squadron with the mission to train the fleet in how ECM works and how to use it and detect it when the enemy used it against us and how to counter it. Our jets carried all kinds of jamming pods and radars, chaff dispensers, etc. We didn't deploy, we were a permanent land based squadron.
The flight sim DCS has a free A4e that is modeled really well according to former pilots. Super fun plane to fly due to crazy roll rate!
They have a skywarrior on display at NAS Whidby Island.
Love the A-3
did 4 years with EA-6B "ROOKS"
I grew up in a small Navy town because my father worked on the Prowlers. He went on 4 cruises as an aviation electrician. Because it carried 4 people it was also called the family car.
I lived on whidbey too
My dad is a AEC (once a chief always a chief) we got there in 76 left in 85
I wonder if we knew each other
My dad was stationed there in 1976 and retired in 1983. He was in the Squadron’s Lancers and Scorpions. My dad was also a Chief.
@@ValkyrieMagnus VAQ 131 go Lancers my dad was in there too
We gota know each other
Went to oak harbor jr high and all the elementary schools
Almost married Maggie Elrich
I live in Spokane now
The VAQ-139 Cougars were the place to be so says a retired Chief
I was a Shooter aboard CVN-74 during OEF from '01-'03. Prowlers at MIL power in tension would rattle the teeth in your head and the high frequency noise would pierce through double hearing protection. Adding insult to injury, the low exhaust nozzles would blow any moisture, grease, oil, and non-skid right into your face if you didn't look away quickly enough.
I was a final checker for these (VAQ-132) and launching was the most fun. The feeling, the sound...
A great aircraft that will get the attention it deserves only after it's retirement. That happens quite often.
It's already been retired for 3 years.
@@burntkat LOL. I thought it was 2 years ago.. damn, time does fly by
; )
@@burntkat Ooops! Thank you for that!
It’s more than what meets the eye. US undoubtedly provoked Russia & was found digging deep in its backyard
US HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO ATTACK ON AFGHANISTAN PALESTINE IRAN LIBYA IRAQ VIETNAM SYRIA etc
BUT RUSSIA NOT ALLOWED TO PROTECT IT'S CITIZENS COUNTRY FROM THE HYPOCRISY OF USA
I was an honor to serve in a Prowler Squadron...VAQ-140 Patriots based out of Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, WA. The Prowler was an awesome aircraft. And while I know that military aircraft has the be replaced with newer aircraft, I was really sad that it had to be retired.
I too served with the Patriots 89-92
The A 6 was the Navy’s B-52. Great plane with a fantastic history
Yeah right. During a retaliatory U.S. strike in Lebanon during the 1980's it was easily shot down along with a Corsair aircraft by Syrian occupation forces and the surviving pilot was taken prisoner. At that time the Israeli's were using more modern U.S. aircraft and had lost zero aircraft during all their strikes versus the U.S. losing 2 aircraft during it's only bombing run.
Man, this takes me back to my Navy days as part of VF-32 during Desert Shield / Desert Storm. I remember being on the flight deck as a plane captain and hearing the air boss saying "Prowler in the break" or "Tomcat in the break" I sure miss those days.
I flew the Prowler in VAQ-128 and EF-111 in the 429th FS as an Air Force EWO. Both were awesome aircraft.
Would you say its safe for one pilot operation?
Might like one from auction.
Not safe for one pilot ops. There are emergency circuit breakers in the back that need to be accessed. The front right seat was the primary radio and navigation though not a pilot’s seat. Although those of us in the other seats including the front right were instrument qualified. That gave us IFR capability to dual pilot mins. It would take a lot to convert it so that the left seat could control everything. Even then the visibility would be problematic from only the front left.
Never heard of VAQ-128. When I was at Whidbey from 78-89, VAQ-129 was the training squadron and VAQ-130 to 141were the active squadrons.
I was with VMAQ-2 1977 to 1980 as a ECM tech. First with EA-6A, the EA-6B. We were Playboys then later changed to Death Jesters after I was gone
I was in I - level Maintenance for group 14 from 77 to 79. Was in the com/nav shop. I remember well the EA-6A and B, they were parked between the A4Ms and the A6Es.
Spent the first 4 years of service working on the EA-6B sky pig in VAQ-134, the very first plane in this video. Great group of people in that unit! Lots of deployments with my 'other family'.
As a kid in the 50s and 60s, I lived just across a field from a Naval Air Base. Watching planes go from mostly Prop planes to Jets was a real Treat. Back then, when they discovered they could break the Sound Barrier, it seemed they did every chance they could. It shook the Windows in Our House and broke windows in our school which was at the end of the Run Way. Every plane I saw was cool, especially these Prowlers. They reminded me of Giant Flying Bugs.
One of the most underrecocnized aircraft. All day all night against any air defense system . EVER. And it flew off carriers. Fly low. Direct attack on enemy air defense systems. This aircraft never got the credit it deserved.
It did. Its missed
"All day all night against any air defense system"
Soviet ones, yeah.
It was the ace up the sleeve
This airplane It outlasted its contract. Only Phantom has done that. To serve that long and in amongst the heaviest and most dangerous air defense systems we've faced.. I think 4 Indruders were shot down In viet nam. Two by anti aircraftartillery two unconfirmed. Cause. no losses in the air over the Gulf. Grumman Ironworks baby
@@jimmoynahan9910 who else?
Air Force guy here and I tell you what, after reading all of the comments below, I feel better knowing I wasn't the only one left intimidated by the sound of a Prowler jet. Having worked at Andrews until I retired, I can remember every so often hearing the sound of a jet sweeping over my shop. Knowing the difference in sound between most of the AF fighter jets, the Navy Prowler seem to always have a loud, scary pitch of sound as if it was going to hard crash into my building for some reason. One day, I managed to catch one in the middle of a landing formation break (carrier break), and as it flew maybe just over 700 feet above from where I was standing it left me speechless!
Yes, each aircraft has a distinctive sound and you get to know them. The sound of a Prowler's engines have a weird howl to them when they adjust the throttles in the landing pattern. Some jets I like the sound of, the Prowler not so much. Of course now that it's gone we'll miss it.
That was a Pratt & Whitney J-52 you were hearing.
I worked AIMD ADJ on Enterprise, and had to trim those engines on a test stand at 100% - standing close enough to trim the fuel control with an allen wrench. Only engine that ever made my nose bleed. That sonic energy goes right through you.
I loved doing high power engine trims. Made your teeth feel like they were coming put.
Got to love those ankle burners on the flight deck,. (How the exhaust angles toward ground) remember watching a female E-6 when they first were allowed in combatant ships bk in the 90s get behind one and didn’t cross properly behind it like we were taught and he came up on just little power to move to next spot on flight deck. Well with her not paying attention on what she was doing and her surroundings that little blast pointed toward the deck and at her under 100lbs body picked her up and threw her down deck and blew her another 10 feet down deck to the plane handler yellow shirt stopped the aircraft moving forward.. poor lady lost 2 teeth that day. Most times when it came to non skid on flight deck and human body the human body always lost.
Either way the Intruder and prowler could def carry some weaponry and not sure the truth to it or not but was told by a prowler pilot that just 6 ea-6b could shut down all communications along side the entire east coast of the USA, From Maine to Florida. Also was also told if they were to turn on the electronic warfare system on full it would cook body from inside out
That reminds me of my first time out to support the pilots training on ship. First time on deck watching everything, except the F/A-18 that was turning. Plane captain didn't see me, I didn't see him, nor the turning plane. Went ass over turning the turn as the pilot gave it a squirt to speed up the process. I thankfully found a padeye, and a hot hand.
I heard, then saw a pair of EA6Bs follow I90 west up past Snoqualmie Pass ski area while I was on a chairlift. They came in below me at maybe 400 knots. The couldn't have been more than 300' AGL. They banked right, went past Alpental and disappeared over the crest, all in a few seconds. Loud machines and impressive flying.
I am proud to have served in the last Navy Prowler squadron, VAQ-134, for their sundown. I was in the line shack so I had plenty of time with them on the deck and flight line. One of the most beautiful and amazing aircraft in my very biased opinion.
Garuda
I was a Garuda from 83 till 86. really regretted leaving them later on.
THOMPSON! it’s Devyn. Miss you my friend. Also, thank you for your service. Love you. Hope as is well❤️
@@devthedudegaming3939 hey bud! Hope things are great for you as well!
I have a slightly different view of the world on this aircraft, one created by having tested the effectiveness of the ALQ-99 for its intended purpose. The EF111 was very similar in capability and despite inter-service rivalry it was good that at least one of those two platforms survived as long as they did. It’s more than just retiring the aging equipment; in human terms you reduce your EW experience base as well and that’s sad. Sooner or later there’ll be a demand for that capability; one that can’t be addressed by the rhetoric of today’s decision maker’s. So with luck some of the EA-6 fleet will be in flyable storage at least until we’ve seen whether or not the promises of the new technology can be met.
EA-6B's replaced the EF-111's in the Air Force for a bit until that was replaced by other Aircraft. According to what I heard back in the 90s.
@@RobertJones-ux6nc Air Force crews flew the Prowler in four joint Navy/Air Force expeditionary squadrons - Purple Prowlers - VAQ-128, VAQ-133, VAQ-134 and VAQ-143 - on three month deployments from land bases following retirement of the Raven.
@@AA-xo9uw VAQ142 was the fourth. 143 was stood up as a fifth, but was decommissioned shortly afterwards.
Both amazing aircrafts, however, I think it's a bit shortsighted to think that the capabilities of today's EW assets aren't as effective as they once were. Given the advancements in technology/systems, (thinking specifically about the F15-EX), we're not hurting for capable ECW assets.
I certainly hope so, but by the time they get the systems up, the parts manufactures to make new parts, the maintenance crews educated to maintain it and the crew up to speed on flying the plane, the conflict would probably be over. Unless the Navy's keeping a few flying somewhere it's very unlikely the plane will ever come back. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya Former EA-6B Avionics Technician and Retired U.S. Navy
This is the plane my Dad would work on when he was in the navy for 8 or so years. Really cool plane.
While I am now retired, I helped design, develop, test and install EA-6B EW trainers for 10 years that taught the ECMOs how to operate the electronics within a class room session. Good memories at home, Whidbey and Cherry Point.
Former Marine here, avionics tech, worked on the receivers in these beasts. VMAQ-2 Playboys MCAS Cherry Point. If you know, you know
I miss the EF-111A. Still the only unarmed USAF aircraft with a confirmed kill.
Grumman arguably the best Navy aircraft builder ever.
I never saw a machine take punishment like a carrier bird. Grumman knows how to build an airframe!
This awesome aircraft (variation) was the star in the first novel I ever read about Military Aircraft, "Flight of the Intruder" a novel written by Stephen Coonts in 1986, telling the stories of United States Navy aviators flying the A-6 Intruder - a two-man, all-weather, aircraft carrier based strike aircraft on missions during the Vietnam War. I have since enjoyed reading hundreds of books about Military Aviation.
Spent 20 years working on that great aircraft. From plane captain to flight deck troubleshooter. A great plane!!!
Spent most of the last 13 years of my career ('86-'98) with VMAQ-2. I was a power plants mechanic by training but worked QA for 5 years before moving up to Maintenance Chief's desk. One of the best units I was ever in, bar none. Hell of an aircraft, big mistake sunsetting them.
Quite a few good clips of Q-2 aircraft (call-sign CY).
Question: I was a US Marine in Desert Storm. Did the CO of VMAQ-2 get shot down during the Gulf War at the opening salvo?
My Pops flew this over Vietnam. His stories are insane!
Respect.
The Prowler is one of my favorite aircraft. She's beautiful, deadly, adaptive and a true legend.
1972 joined Grumman and assigned to work on the EA-6B. Thanks for producing a great video on this amazing aircraft so few knew of and what it was capable of.
Great video and brings back memories. Did two tours with 4 cruises in Prowler squadrons. First in the early 70s then again in the mid/late 80s. Kind of sad they're gone. I've actually seen two jets I used to work on as display aircraft. One on a stick at Whidbey Island and the other on display at NAS Fallon.
I'm a plank holder of VAQ-137 NAS Whidbey, we had 4 of those birds and did a WESPAC aboard Enterprise '74-'75. Yes, good memories.
Love this plane. I was a Marine Avionics Tech for these, Harriers and Hornets but loved the Prower. Deployed with Q4 to Aviano. I miss them. I'll take them over the 18G any day. 3:20, that was one of my birds. When I was with the Q squadrons they had a statement they were proud of. No aircraft was ever shot down when an prower was with them.
I deployed with Q-2.
Q4 the Seahawks what’s up 💯
@@joshuapowell7485 Miss that plane. What was your W/C? Aviano was a great deployment but C O L D!! I'm a native Arizonan so that wasn't so good.
@@datsuntoyy I was Aviation Ordnance
@@joshuapowell7485 I knew some of them. They came to get wire from us on occasion. I used to discuss how to make the perfect bomb with one of the guys there. Small world.
In 1968 aboard USS Enterprise weather opened up and allowed an Alpha strike. Watching A6 Intruders being launched with a full load of 500 lb bombs and hearing those engines wind up just prior to launch was awesome.
Stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, in 1998 where we had EA-6s come in regularly. The loudest plane I've ever heard.
A beautiful looking aircraft and I believe it is a mistake not to replace it with another fully designed aircraft for such warfare. Like the A10 Wart-Hog, it is an unforgettable aircraft.
Probably leaning on the Navy's Growler to accommodate the lack of budget for a dedicated Marine EA platform. I doubt the decision was decided by terminal effectiveness, which is a shame.
The Growler is more potent, agile and fast.
If major war breaks out another aircraft will be found to create the electronic warfare abilities.
@@mcs699 you are clueless,esp about A 10,lol.
I love this platform, worked on them for 14 years. Block 82, 86, 89, 89A Icap 2 and Icap 3 even the one of a kind Franken Prower
Was worked almost one year in 1999 to develop software for ea-6b jammer management & assignment of block 89 tape at NAWC Point Mugu, CA
I worked on them for 11 years. Lim-cap, excap, Icap and Icap 2.
I flew in the Prowler in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I enjoyed the video which brought back some memories.
Always been a big fan of Grumman Aviation, they've created absolute legendary aircraft...its sad to see that Grumman is absent from the military
This plane always made me feel a little safer....Thanks🇺🇸
I watched many A-6As launch off USS Ranger with staggering loads of bombs under their wings. Complementing them, we also had the A-7A Corsair, which also carried a similar load plus 2 sidewinders. Our F-4Js also carried a fair number of bombs in addition to the rest of their load.
Plank Owner VA-34 ordnance guy. Loaded a lot of stuff on these birds.
@KB VAQ 135 for the 76 Westpac
A6/A7/F4's aboard USS Coral Sea during 1980 WestPac serving with Commander Carrier Group 3.
On my last deployment in 96 on the Enterprise, the Crew repainted one of our few A-6 intruders in the White paint scheme for their final flights to being decommissioned.
@KB same here
Never thought much of the A-6 until I watched one go through paces at air show. I was floored by the presence and capabilities of this versatile brute. Been a fan ever since.
Watched these guys pack incredible payloads off the deck starting Oct 1972...we lost a few....but seen many come back with daylight visible thru the fuselage.....some aluminium tape and a fill up...and another sortie was off....24/7....Bad Ass Folk !!
Got to see the last Prowler in Navy service right after it was retired as a kid, didn’t know the Marines were still using them up till now.
As a Brit this strikes me as a jet age successor to the venerable Skyraider familly of Piston engine aircraft .... Tough and too damn useful a platform to let go of till your airframes are almost maxed out.
Never realised it was produced in that 4seat configuration.
The EA-6B is a member of the Intruder family, but it has so many differences it's considered a different type. Not just the 4 seats and stretched cockpit, but different engines and multiple subsystems. As for A-6's being a modern Skyraider, I don't know. The Skyraider had lots of loiter capability, whereas the A-6 was a one pass and haul ass jet bomber. I think the A-10 is more of a modern Skyraider, though there is no naval version of it.
The A-10 is definitely the successor to the Skyraider, especially how the Skyraiders were used in Vietnam. I think they even have a confirmed MiG kill or two despite being in a close air support role.
@@jakethreesixty Yes, and A-10s also scored some air to air kills in Desert Storm against helicopters.
The EA-6B is one MEAN-LOOKING aircraft!!!
The first thing that struck me about this aircraft is its Cockpit canopy design. It's so WEIRD-LOOKING YET VERY effective at JAMMING enemy comms. networks. VERY INTERESTING!!!
How much I would like to own this plane...so much legacy and space in the backseat for groceries. Very practical for a quick shopping from the middle of nevada to LA....and back. Much respect for the dedication for the pilots and not to forget the support teams like mechanics that kept these and other planes flying
hahaha
LONG retired, but it WAS a badass in its lifetime. As a private pilot I WISH I could find a Growler for sale.
I miss it. The Prowler and Intruder were two of my favorite aircraft.
Worked on Prowlers as an avionics tech from 77-89. VAQ-132, VAQ-136, VAQ-137, VAQ-129 and VAQ-140. 2 1/2 Westpacs, 2 meds, and 6 months on the Midway in Japan.
AE in VAQ-132 76-80. Two WestPacs on the Connie.
@@juanetobascofish3999 looks like we might have stood in the same chow line a few times (maybe drank at the same bars in P.I.). My first Westpac was as a young airman in the AT shop on the Constellation in 1978 in VAQ-132.
@@brettt777 Undoubtedly!
I was stationed at MCAS Cherry Point in MAG-32 in the late '80's, early '90's. We had 5 AV8-B Harrier jump-jet attack squadrons and their associated maintenance shops. MAG-14 (the other aircraft wing on base) had EA-6B's and C-130's along with their associated maintenance shops in their wing. The EA-6B's were highly valuable when it came to the Marine Air Wing's attack and CAS operations. I had the honor of being in the MAGTAF when the Prowlers were deployed to "go in ahead" of the Harriers, F/A-18's, attack and GP helicopters (Cobras, Sea Stallions, Hueys), and F-4 Wild Weasels to suppress the enemy's air defenses so the attack aircraft could perform their missions of destroying targets, CAS, and transporting equipment and Marines. They weren't pretty to look at nor were they very fast but they were an excellent all-weather SEAD/DEAD and attack aircraft that carried a very heavy payload of bombs and guided munitions. It was truly a "workhorse" for those who appreciated it's mission capabilities. I was sad to see both it and the Harrier get retired.
MCAS Cherry Point checking in
I think you're confused. I was with VMAQ2 there at cherry point from 89 to 93. When I first got there there was only one18 plane squadron Of EA6b prowlers But shortly after Desert Storm that was split into 3 6 plain squadrons. Vmaq 1, 2 and 3. My point being That I know the EA6 B prowler, And it never carried a bomb load. The only ordinance it carried was the highspeed anti-radiation missile. You must be thinking of the A6 intruder Is which did carry a hell of a bomb load
The EA-6B was a real workhorse.
I deployed three times with the Prowler. I loved working on that bird. No matter where on Bagram AB we were on, we could always here them take off.
I can remember as a kid living near Whidbey Island Sitting out at the end of runway 7 at Whidbey Island NAS for hours watching EA-6B's and waiting all year for their open house for my dad to take me. Great memories.
I was on a contract in Virginia Beach in 1991 close to the end of the first Iraq War. Those A-6's we're very loud coming in and taking off from Oceana Naval and even earplugs couldn't suppress the noise. My living quarters were less than a half a mile away from the base that didn't help but damn did they sound great! The sound of freedom.
I remember reading a true pilot story of the A6 as a child, never forgot this plane
The Doctor Strange of warfare..
Highly underrated aircraft.
I worked on all those systems in the Navy at VAQ-209. Those planes where literally the coolest thing I have even seen with my own eyes. It’s crazy what they can do.
I’m Australian, and we have Growlers, F/A-18Fs and F-35As now, but when I was serving in the RAN when we had F-111s and F/A-18A and B(and HS748 in terms of jamming, just for training and also VIP transport in some models) in the RAAF. I was lucky enough to go onboard USS Ranger in Singapore so many decades ago. I got to touch this phenomenal aircraft along with Tomcats, Intruders, Hawkeyes, etc., and having been a lifelong aviation buff in a much smaller power it was astonishing to me! I wish I could remember that Red Shirt’s name who showed us around! Top bloke!
Worked around the A-6 & EA-6B at NAS Whidbey. I was told the only aircraft that could more bombs than the A-6 was the B-52. Pilots would practice their low-level skills by flying under Deception Pass Bridge. These 2 supposedly had the world's loudest engines, the JP52, I think. My job was to photograph them for the training videos. Good times. 🇺🇸
They are Pratt & Whitney J-52 engines. I'm a plank holder of VAQ-137 NAS Whidbey.
I have heard the same thing about the A-6E. As for the Deception Pass bridge thing... the only pilot I ever heard of in all my years at Whidbey that flew under that bridge in an A-6... lost his wings and his commission. But that's just what I heard. No idea if it's true.
@@brettt777 I think that happened back in the early '70s.
@@Laserblade yeah, it was before I got there in 78.
And I can confirm the loudest aircraft on earth!! My barracks sat closest to the flight line and that’s all I heard for years was the prowler taking off and being tested.
That distinction belongs to the F-84H Thunderscreech.
My friends used to call the "Sky Pig" and they'd have to turn up the damn TV in the barracks every time one took off.
@@RCAvhstape should have called it the "Howlin' Tuna" that covers looks and voice!
@@thisismagacountry1318 try an AV-8 hovering 1/4 mile from your residence at MCAS Cherry point. No comparison.
@@jameseast7966 Pretty sure the Air Force has it officially designated as so.
I've not been on deck for the launch of an EA-6B Prowler but the description sounds much like the start of an NHRA Double A Fuel car if you're standing near the starting line when it launches. That amazing assault is more physical than audio. It literally feels like a punch right in the chest.
I was in RVAH-1 which flew the RA5C Vigilante and in 1965 we went to Nam. We had at that time the first squadron of A6 Intruders to go into battle. The DIANE package they had for precision bombing was very problematic at that time and like the Viggi they were very maintenance intensive on the electronics. I was an ATR3 at that time and while I worked on the Viggi we were aware of the Intruders problems as well. I imagine most of them got ironed out over the period of the conflict, I got out of active duty in 1966 so never really paid much attention for the next many years.
The loudest jet on the flight deck, I'll never forget it!
Grumman had amazing line up of aircraft. Great to see the prowler and growler get some recognition as they were great/reliable workhorses.
I was a Tomcat maintainer but Prowlers were probably the most import bird in the air wing
Thank You! I was so happy to see my ship in the first seconds of this video. I served on the USS Enterprise CVN 65 from 1982 to 1985.
I served with the squadron VMAQ2 from 1978 to 1981 OOO-RAH! It was an impressive aircraft!
Holds its energy in flight maneuvers like no other! Consistent and Strong!
I remember when that Prowler cut off the cable of a cable car in Italy ,
3 Feb 1998.
The Prowler made it back to Aviano with little damage to the left wing trailing edge
but all the people in the cable car died.
Leading edge
Was with VMAQ-2 with EA-6A and EA-6B in 1977-1980. I worked on the ECM jamming equipment.
No E-6 has ever been lost to enemy fire - not unlike the F-15's undefeated record
No E-6 Mercury or EA-6B Prowler have been lost to enemy fire.
How about Ice Hamblin. The Bat 21 Story. Weren't they flying a eb 66
@@randyc1954 Ha ha that’s right 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
@@randyc1954yes they were
I believe we lost one (Intruder) in the late 80's. I believe the pilot's name was Goodman and he was taken prisoner. The "Reverend Jackson" negotiated his release...
I grew up around A-6's and EA-6B's. My father was the Commander of VAQ-141 in Whidbey and finished his career with 1004 carrier traps. It was a plane killed by politics which could still be flying today.
I think world events changed and so did roles
Dick cheney sicked the f-14 and a-6f because of an attitude issue
I love the piston engine sound when they show the Herk. Dudes.
I loved the Prowlers, such a fantastic aircraft. I'll never forget working on them and with them. Best memory was launching one on a carrier; so much power rattled every bone and fiber in my body.
The only thing I will say, There are a lot of "CAN do EASY" Bunny stickers all over the world and in places that makes you wonder how did they get that sticker up there...
We had our ways........
Can do easy originated in Iwakuni Japan. J-2s unofficial motto. Semper Fi.
When I hear a voicover guy from Fiverr, reading the Wikipedia entry while a bunch of stock/stolen footage plays, I just know the ad revenue is going nowhere good.
Thanks.I read your comment before the vid played, and you spared me the pain of watching.
@user-df5zm4dk1c thanks! Signing off.
I was a I level J-52 mech in Iwakuni for 6 years. We freaked out that one time we got a shiny part. It just was a exhaust cone, but it looked almost new.
F.y.i. nobody can safety wire like a J52 mech.
I watched jet mechs change an engine on the flight deck of the Forrestal all while under darken ship conditions. Only red flashlight lenses. Much respect to you all. EA-6As rule. Semper Fi.
As a radar operator I worked against Prowler jamming in war games against the USA. They were definitely interesting and cool. But it was possible to see through their jamming by adjusting the signal gain with the twist of a knob.
I never realized how great of an impact the Prowler was until years later. I was with VMAQ-2 S3 from '86-'88 and deployed with Det Yankee, USS America (CV-66) during Operations Prairie Fire and El Dorado Canyon. Left for MSG duty shortly after and never looked back. Didn't realize it at the time, but it was a real honor to have been part of the "Playboy" squadron.
Det Yankee 5
Det Xray 1,2 and 3. 78-84
I used to see them flying low through the northern Nevada valleys. I saw several other planes doing low flights, including the B52, but it looked to me like none flew quite as low as the A6.
A-6’s Snoqualmie Pass 1980’s! Loved seeing them blast through
We had one of these fly over us in Afghanistan once. Supposedly it was blocking cell phone signals for us to prevent IEDs from going off around us, but most of the IEDs we found were based on pressure plates anyway. We only had the Prowler once I think, for the rest of the time we carried a Thor with us.
That was the first aircraft in to Afghan air space when the USA went after Bin Ladin or whatever his name was