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.