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Last ride of the Prowler

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Two EA-6B Prowlers assigned to the Star Warriors of Tactical Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 take-off for their final flight at Naval Air Facility Washington, D.C. VAQ-209 is transitioning from the EA-6B Prowler aircraft to the EFA-18 Growler aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David A. Frech/Released)

Two EA-6B Prowlers assigned to the Star Warriors of Tactical Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 take-off for their final flight at Naval Air Facility Washington, D.C. VAQ-209 is transitioning from the EA-6B Prowler aircraft to the EFA-18 Growler aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David A. Frech/Released)

Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CVWP), hosted a three-day Sunset Celebration commemorating the retirement of the Navy Grumman EA-6B Prowler last week after some 45-years of service.

As noted in the release by the Navy, retired Capt. Fred Wilmot, who served as a test pilot for the Navy Prowler and delivered the first Prowler to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island while serving in Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 in January 1971, was on hand for the sad event.

Some 170 Prowlers were built as an improvement to the EA-6A “Electric Intruder” from lessons learned fighting what was potentially the hottest and most advanced anti-air environment in the world at the time over North Vietnam.  The type replaced the old EKA-3B Skywarrior “Whales” on carrier decks besides picking up the vital SEAD mission.

The radar spoofing/SAM-killing Prowler remained in front line service, even outlasting the USAF’s EF-111 and F-4G Wild Weasel force, to hold the line as the single EW attack plane type in the national inventory.

The event concluded with the last Navy Prowler flying off from NASWI’s  Ault Field, completing the transition to the EA-18G Growler. Ironically, the Growler’s older brother, the F/A-18C, replaced the Prowler’s older brother, the Intruder in 1997.

Vale, Prowler.

150626-N-DC740-049 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (June 26, 2015) An EA-6B Prowler breaks away from three EA-18G Growlers in a missing man formation during a farewell ceremony as part of the Prowler Sunset Celebration commemorating the retirement of the Navy EA-6B Prowler. The celebration, marking the end of an era for the Electronic Attack community, included a history hall in Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Havilland Hangar with a Prowler on display, a farewell ceremony and concluded with the last Navy Prowler flying off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s (NASWI) Ault Field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Hetherington/Released)

150626-N-DC740-049 OAK HARBOR, Wash. (June 26, 2015) An EA-6B Prowler breaks away from three EA-18G Growlers in a missing man formation during a farewell ceremony as part of the Prowler Sunset Celebration commemorating the retirement of the Navy EA-6B Prowler. The celebration, marking the end of an era for the Electronic Attack community, included a history hall in Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Havilland Hangar with a Prowler on display, a farewell ceremony and concluded with the last Navy Prowler flying off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s (NASWI) Ault Field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Hetherington/Released)



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