EA-6B Prowler | Behind the Wings

EA-6B Prowler | Behind the Wings
Explore one of the most recent additions to Wings' collection as curator Matthew Burchette gives you a private tour of the U.S Military's finest tactical jamming aircraft. Developed in the early 1960s and used since 1968, the EA-6B Prowler on display at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is one of two aircraft at the museum to have participated in live combat operations. Get behind the scenes shots of the cockpit, learn about CAG, SEAD, HARM, ECM and more... wait you don't know what those mean? Take a watch.
Photo Credit: Hyougushi / Hideyuki KAMON from National Museum in Delhi, India
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum:
wingsmuseum.org
---------------------------------------­----------------------------
Host, Curator:
Matthew Burchette
Creator, Producer:
Ben Theune
Camera, Editor:
Scott Hennelly
Moises Pina
Music:
Joakim Karud - / joakimkarud

[@PpAirO5]

This aircraft looks so small, but it has a crew of not just 1, 2 or 3 but 4 😳 This plane deserves more respect.

[@stevedollar1869]

I'm a VAQ-135 vet. The flight crew in the rear of the EA-6B were called ECMO's. Electronic Counter Measure Officers. You can see the stencil on the headrest of the ejection seat.

[@johnnieeubanks7946]

Black Ravens 1984-1988.

[@RB-ib3nf]

Actually, except for the pilot the other 3 crew were ECMO's

[@jpwoelfling]

I was a aviation corpsman from 84-89. I actually had orders to VAQ-135, but got reassigned to a patrol squadron that didn't have any corpsman. I really wish I had gotten a chance to be squadron corpsman on a Carrier deployment.

[@ervillewright6284]

Also a Raven vet. 93 to 95 AME1 on the Lincoln.

[@Cougar139tweak]

Got to the comments section, glad someone corrected it.... VAQ "beckseaters" are ECMOs VAQ-139 AT2 Allred 1997-2001 ALQ-99 "C" school grad

[@dogboy0912]

We joke about the Vietnam war being against a bunch of malnourished rice farmers, but the NVA was a pretty well equipped military comprised of regulars rocking some pretty serious hardware. That's in addition to the paramilitary forces of the NLF, the Vietcong. I think the air war side and necessity for EW helps put that in perspective.

[@loganwgriffith]

Now I have to go watch "Flight of the Intruder"

[@bluemarshall6180]

Thats Different.

[@Spacegoat92]

4:13 "Mean bastards huh?"

[@rahsaanmoore3986]

You guys deserve so many more views some of the best in depth plane tours I’ve seen on KZbin in a while.

[@stormtroopercommander7947]

agree! I really enjoy these videos!

[@e-dawggaming1198]

The only ones that aren't boring

[@quinncide]

It’s a good video, but in-depth it isn’t. This is a VERY surface level overview of the aircraft.

[@seanc.5310]

Questionable Edict agree completely. Hey it is, what it is...

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

@@seanc.5310 kinda bad for a museum tho

[@driverdick2]

I actually got to take 2 incentive rides in an EA-6B back in 1975 while stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, great memory

[@adanrodriguez3865]

I was there , VAQ -130 74’ 78’.

[@waitaminute-vw9hf]

I was in VAQ-131, Lancers and we were the first EA-6B squadron deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS Enterprise in 72-73. We jammed the russian sam sites and disrupted communications. Aviation Electronics Tech, 3rd class

[@paulsworld07]

I was in VAQ-131 as they closed out this bird and prepared to transition to the Growler. When I retired our oldest bird was 33 years old and the newest one was perhaps 29 I think. Lotta miles under them wings.

[@waitaminute-vw9hf]

Jim Smith That's some history. The EA-6B was replacing the EA-3B Skywarrior at the time I served.

[@kingragnork]

Fellow Lancers!

[@broncoswc]

I was fortunate enough to work on these birds when I was in the Marines stationed at Cherry Pt NC VMAQ-4 Seahawks. 94-98

[@johnnieeubanks7946]

Showing my age here. I remember when the Seahawks were flying the Grumman EA-6A "Electric Intruder" at NAS Whidbey Island in the 1980's.

[@randybrunell1089]

Dad flew EA-6A electric intruders out of cherry point,VMAQ-2 75-79 Capt Randy Brunell

[@unluckymonkey4382]

Guess I'm the new guy here. QT-1 15-16 Q-2 16-18

[@Kevin_747]

"Yum yum". Yep, its not always Maverick and Iceman. Call signs are not self appointed and they are not always flattering.

[@vwoday1872]

What was his wingmans call sign Boom Boom? Oh look its Boom Boom and Yum Yum again

[@Chief-Solarize]

My little brothers callsign is Plumber. Legend has it he was reliable at clogging toilets in flightschool. I believe it. That kid is rotten.

[@watumpas]

My call sign was morning glory. I'm not going into that story here. We had a guy named puppet show. You don't want to know...

[@eranmalloch]

@@Chief-Solarize lol

[@RsRj-qd2cg]

Many call signs that sound flattering but become unflattering when you learn the story behind it. Or ones that are self explanatory like Plunger.

[@VibeXplorer]

Absolutely loved this! If I could conjure up an aircraft tour-and-description channel, this would be it. Matthew has a great personality. Love his enthusiasm! He's in the right place. Subscribed!

[@jorgef9912]

When I was in JROTC I got to visit the museum its a Honor to live so close to this Awesome Museum .

[@TheStabbyCyclist]

Those ECM pods he's talking about, the ALQ-99 pods, are still being used on Growlers today. Somehow they still work... mostly.

[@kevindown2755]

They were scary to work on. 😬

[@Cougar139tweak]

I remember our first Band 10s catching fire mid flight yeesh, not a fun ride back I bet

[@Cougar139tweak]

Somehow I avoided PodPool TAD

[@jeffmarsh974]

I worked on this specific plane. Saw it leave Whidbey. Glad it’s in good hands still. Have been to the museum a few times!

[@TribuneAquila]

The Wild Weasel patch was created by pilots and airmen who flew SEAD missions, on the bottom of the patch is their motto "YGBSM"

[@scottmarquiss7941]

We have one too! A Prowler CAG aircraft was recently flown to the Udvar-Hazy Center!

[@randybrunell1089]

Yep taking my son to see it this sunday.

[@AA-xo9uw]

VMAQ-2s last bird BuNo 162230

[@gwiazdapioun2127]

Drinking game suggestion: every time Matthew says cool you take a shot.

[@sabre22b]

..at him.

[@-Minuano-]

Right then! I guess I’ll kill my liver now.

[@IsaiahTrujillo_1]

No megusta papi

[@mathijsdijkstra1233]

i really enjoy these videos, they're the perfect length, and the give you all you really need to know about certain aircraft.

[@RustyShackleford42069]

Thank you for making these. So awesome

[@chadbailey30]

These videos are great!!!! So much info, I love it!!!

[@thecman26]

When the Navy calls, you ANSWER that call!

[@jatcod24sci]

I was in VAQ-129 line shack in 88/89 and am glad others noticed the EWO vs. ECMO. Another display correction should be to close the front main landing gear doors. The A-6 kept them open but the larger airframe of the EA-6B required a more streamline landing configuration.

[@adanrodriguez3865]

I was next door to you, VAQ-130 ZAPPERS. AD3

[@dalesharpy9197]

The VAQ-134 Garudas were stationed here at NAS Whidbey, WA. I got their Squadron patch as well as others before they went packing for the incoming Growlers.

[@michaelfrench3396]

Great plane! My father flew them with vaq-33 as well as the A-3, Ad-5W, A-4, and c121 constellation! Great video!!

[@starliner2498]

Say hi to your dad for me!

[@DougKahn]

Great videos you guys put together. Good Museum also!

[@victormanuelpolanco922]

I'm hooked up to this series. Wonderful presentations of timeless designs!!!!!.

[@torolf007]

Wow, this was a great video! Keep them coming :)

[@dobermanpac1064]

The 6 was the Doberman of Aircraft in her day. She protected without reservation and would wreck your day.

[@steved2623]

Lovely. Thanks

[@ConversationStartersVideo]

Diggin' the hair Matthew! Great video as always my friend. First saw this aircraft in 1986 doing a media embed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

[@charlottederichsweiler7680]

Thank you

[@mikeflores6187]

They were ECMOs. Electronic Counter-Measure Officers.

[@deanc.5984]

Very fun. I love that plane! Great video.

[@bearb1asting]

Your level of excitement is appropriate. Subscribed! How cool cool is that!?

[@paulsworld07]

Not a bad presentation altogether. As noted from a comment below the additional crews are ECMOs not EWO (but close enough). The original Prowler started off as the EA-6A but was quickly modified and produced as the EA-6B adding the ECMOs to the rear. I am happy to see this in a museum and not rusting away in a desert somewhere. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into maintaining this aircraft that's primary mission was to save other aircraft from the demise of SAMs and suppression of pretty much any air defense network. Not sexy, not the fastest but sure did the job and did it well. Take care of that old girl. Perhaps one day I'll visit the museum just to reminisce.

[@FlyingTigersKMT]

Having only 17k subs in a year is criminal. You guys are the best!

[@xvillin]

Are used to be an avionics technician on that aircraft. You probably didn’t know but there’s a lot of interesting electronics on there besides the cockpit. Still nice to see you again. It takes me back.

[@johnkendall3124]

I was VMAQ-2 In 1976 when the first EA-6B came to the Marines. I worked mainly on the seats and A/c system. Good times

[@AA-xo9uw]

BuNo 160432 first arrived at Cherry Point on February 17, 1977 flown by then Lt. Col. Royal Moore, ECMOs Maj. Dave Weber, Capt. Bruce Jamison and Maj. Wayne Whitten.

[@marcbennet3932]

Love your vids. More cockpit time please

[@HappisakVideos]

A lot more cockpit and tech time. Too much chit chat not getting to the point fast enough for 6 mins.

[@rjs1jd]

My favorite comment of my life"HOW COOL IS THAT"

[@caryladd863]

I was in that squadron in 79-80 onboard USS Nimitz when The Final Countdown the movie was filmed. At the time of the movie wore a brown shirt latter in our cruise changed to a green shirt. Loved working on the Prowler though.

[@SsgtHolland]

Well done!

[@goshnodo]

Super cool. Good looking plane.

[@steveschierholz5272]

Thanks for the video. I retired from the Navy while I was in Vaq 134

[@bukiyouneko9863]

I love this aircraft, last jet engine in the U.S.Navy and last of the all metal aircraft. I was always jealous to see the airframers making new panels in their shop while on the F/A-18's we'd just remove and replace composite panels.

[@JENX1976]

I was a Garuda and worked on that bird. And that is the CLEANEST prowler I have ever seen hahahaha.

[@RightCenterBack321]

The EA-6B wasn't capable of destroying SAM radars with the HARM missile until the late-1980s - nearly two decades after its introduction.

[@Cougar139tweak]

yeah but even EA-3Ds could blow them up on the pad, no missle needed (VQ-1 Worldwatchers from Vietnam know this)

[@AA-xo9uw]

1986

[@janloncaric3621]

Thank god i found chanell like this

[@vincentwang4848]

Love your videos you r doing a great job! from China

[@j.t.cooper2963]

I worked on the A-6 re-wing program at Boeing back in 89-90.

[@ph11p3540]

Electronic warfare is black magic and sorcery. That Prowler was a flying wizards platform.

[@OlRedHair]

Phillip Mulligan And there was actually an EA-6B squadron call the Wizards, VAQ133. I was with them from 83 to 89.

[@kellywilson8440]

Those turbojet engines would rattle the senses out of your head on a carrier cat shot !

[@scopex2749]

Nice bird! I am an ex Air Force aircraft engineer. Great channel 👍🏻

[@ricksadler797]

Cool 😎 vid sad to see those old ✈️ go

[@markh4705]

That was good.

[@danielhausrath6132]

This guy is great

[@giusr001]

Hey Matthew you are doing a great job with these videos - how cool is that :) The Prowler and the Intruder were two of the coolest AC’s in the navy in my opinion followed by the Viking, not saying the Tomcat was not :). Today one AC do all the jobs.

[@SamB-fv6su]

Did I see you in “Behind the Barber shop” because I think you missed that episode !

[@jasonbell5905]

🤣🤣

[@duggar11]

The E6-6B is one of my favorite aircraft. Beautiful also.

[@cambadam4144]

Garuda team!

[@tjdati7071]

Im glad there was a short "How cool is that?" Montage

[@dennistedder3384]

Hey, very good overview.

[@stephenhill1716]

Anyone else get Ace Combat flash backs when he said Garuda?

[@arand0mpanda537]

Stephen Hill very first thing I thought of lol

[@the_mobius_strip3906]

"Let's take back Gracemeria" *Badass combined squadron corkscrew*

[@particularace_1801]

Yup i sure did as soon as he said that i heard garuda team

[@EpicThe112]

Ace Combat 6 Republic of Emmeria an ally of my favorite faction the Osean Federation who also used the plane against the Yuktobanian Milititary in Ace Combat 5 The Unsung War. This museum has a good list to which Bandai Namco can send project Aces team to render combat jets for a future Ace combat game.

[@Rose_Butterfly98]

I got crush gear flash backs first

[@brownteam321]

That specific plane was also Outlaw 503 for years and was deployed with VAQ-141 during multiple war cruises.

[@fabianvm3929]

Garuda team, engage!

[@bayupriyawaskita2222]

VAQ 134 - The Garudas cool 😎

[@philaddison3006]

Flown with Yum-Yum a few times.

[@martykarr7058]

Did the callsign have anything to do with doughnuts?

[@philaddison3006]

That I don’t know. Never learned how he got the call sign

[@martykarr7058]

@@philaddison3006 The reason I asked is because there's a doughnut chain called "Yum Yum" in California.

[@Spartaner251]

@@martykarr7058 - there is also instant noodles that are galled yumyum

[@MrFlyboy71]

I went to a Journey/Asia concert last year in the KFC Yum-Yum Center in Louisville. Maybe the CO loved his chicken!?

[@ScareCrow1024]

The “CAG” didn’t necessarily fly each squadrons CAG bird. The CAG bird was usually just the first Modex number in each squadrons side number designation. In our prowler squadron our “CAG” bird had the side number 620 but CAG didn’t fly it... Its more of an honarium than any thing else. If the CAG was a rated Prowler pilot...come on down and have a go... Otherwise we’ll just call it your bird as a sign of respect.

[@ScareCrow1024]

@Harrison Powers Actually had a more important job! I fixed those things so the Pilots and ECMOs could use them properly. I was an Avionics Technician.

[@dom77us]

"You need a college education to break 'em but only a high school diploma to fix 'em." Retired EWC (SW)

[@Cougar139tweak]

@@ScareCrow1024 what squadron? like seeing ex EW vets call out their squadons...VAQ 139 for me

[@ScareCrow1024]

@@Cougar139tweak VAQ-137 Rooks

[@kingragnork]

VAQ-131 AZ2 (don't hate, I was also a troubleshooter).

[@ishouldgetalif3]

4 seats in a jet? that's craazy. *i'll take one please, in black*

[@eranmalloch]

Interestingly, the guys in the back wouldn't even have been able to see the forward view. I never realised that b4. That would have been an "interesting" passenger experience, especially if the pilot was doing some fairly violent maneuvers.

[@nikkireborn5923]

Interesting fact : When the Prowler has his electronic bay turned on, you hair really does stand up!

[@bluejacketwarrior2457]

I was wondering why this jet looked familiar. I was on the Bush for its last ride. Nice to see she found a good home. :)

[@Wings_Museum]

Now THAT is cool! MB

[@TridentDriver]

These are still flying at Cherry Point. One of the loudest planes in existence.

[@dirtydave2691]

Hearing them take of from Bagram AFB...............the entire valley just thundered! I grew up near MCAS El Toro and saw/heard A-6's quite a bit in the 70s and 80s.

[@daved4215]

The Harrier tops the list of loud aircraft.

[@LtRiot]

@@daved4215 not anymo. f-35 makes even harrier look quiet

[@daved4215]

@@LtRiot yikes!!

[@daved4215]

@@LtRiot I was a sonar tech. Harriet made my ears bleed. Poor ground crew.

[@KingOfBanks]

Where the crap has this channel been? Nearly broke my phone when I hit the Subscribe button so hard.

[@jasonmoran1179]

Towing an EA6B 6 miles thru Colorado. Thats a film i would like too see.

[@TheKeithvidz]

Subbed.

[@KutWrite]

Nicely explained. Suggestion: Music a little more appropriate than one that sounds like a 70s afternoon local TV talk-show theme. Now I'll go check some of your other vids. I think I saw there's one on a B-52.

[@tylerjones9570]

F-14 tomcat video would be cool

[@timgoette8579]

Electronic Counter Measures Officer ECMO's not the EWO

[@kenzz5266]

Excellent！From　Japan

[@koi-irako]

fun fact : Garuda is the national emblem of Indonesia

[@AvengerII]

Funny thing about the EA-18G Growler... The radio callsign ISN'T Growler. It's "Grizzly." The reason why they changed it was because "Growler" sounds too much like "Prowler" over the radio and they were still using EA-6B's in the Navy while the transition to the EA-18G was occurring! They had a similar radio issue with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet when it was introduced. They had to use the radio callsign "Rhino" (formerly used for the F-4 Phantom) to differentiate the E/F from the Legacy A-D models of the F/A-18. It was a catapult/recovery weight issue for the aircraft carriers just as the EA-6B and EA-18G have different weight settings for launch and recovery, too. I think the Marine Corps have retired their last EA-6Bs or are in the process of doing so soon this year. I haven't read an article about the official last flight of the EA-6B online... The Navy got out of the EA-6B business in 2015. The USAF used to have its own dedicated electronic warfare in the EF-111A Raven but the service retired the plane without a replacement and dumped full responsibility for the EW mission on the Navy and Marines. Yes, the Navy and Marines also had to support Air Force planes because the AF didn't want to pay for that mission!

[@RobotDCLXVI]

That's not true. I was in the Air Forces dedicated EW platform. Perhaps you have heard of the EC-130? We didn't carry HARMS, but every other role the Growler and Prowler could do, we did better becasue the C-130 is a much bigger airplane and we can carry more equipment. Means more range, bandwidth, etc. Just no hard points for missiles.

[@AvengerII]

@@RobotDCLXVI And the EC-130 is a HUGE flying target with no speed whatsoever. The EF-111A was at least fast and the EA-18G based on the F-18F model has built in RCS reduction. The EF-111 was a very good system which made the Air Force decision to retire the plane without a credible replacement in the tactical class (fighter-sized, not a warmed-over converted cargo plane) capricious. Again, it seems like they want to have their cake and eat it, too, there just like they NEVER wanted the CAS mission (or the A-10, for that matter) but kept it because they don't want the Army intruding on its turf! Of course, the point may be moot because if the enemy has defensive counter electronics he'll probably be able to KNOW any of those planes are in the area. Whether they'll be able to do anything, that's a different story! FYI, they are/were training AF personnel to operate the EA-6B systems after the EF-111A was retired. It's possible this carried over to the EA-18G but the point remains that the forward-deployed ECM aircraft are naval-only. The Air Force right now does NOT have a comparable tactical airframe to the EA-18G.

[@skiahh]

@@RobotDCLXVI Amm, no, not really. The EC-130 is a great platform, but certainly does not do everything the Prowler and Growler do (or Raven, for that matter). The EC-130 is slow, stands WAY off and offers little direct protection to strike aircraft. If it did all the EW missions better, there would be no need for strike EW platforms. Tell me, for example, how the EC-130 handles the close air support mission in a real time environment?

[@RobotDCLXVI]

@@skiahh I'm aware it doesn't do everything the other platforms do. I mentioned that in my previous post. We don't carry any ordinance to conduct DEAD but our SEAD capabilities are more robust. So obviously if any mission requires destruction of a particular target we are completely unsuited for that role, but as for CAS, we have longer on station time and a wider range of EW capabilities should that come into play over the course of an operation. Sometimes those 2 factors are important and it's where we shine.

[@rzr2ffe325]

In theory you could put hardpoints on the 130, but the issue would be them having to remain standoff and not keeping up with a strike package. A problem that actually plagued the Prowler and was solved with the Growler.

[@labanjohnson]

priceless

[@oceanapples]

That Aircraft was on my first deployment. It was that jets last deployment. USS George H.W Bush CVN77

[@carlospaterno1028]

I'm in VAQ134 that AC was my favorite AC l was working on NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND WA. I'M AMH1 QC.

[@stephencannon3140]

The CAG may not necessarily fly in that specific aircraft. The CAG as a position is in charge of all the squadrons but may not necessarily be qualified in that model. Every fleet squadron has a CAG bird and are labeled X00...X being the fleet type. Before the F/A-E/A-18 took over pretty much all combat fleet roles it was 1 and 2 for F-14, 3 and 4 for F/A-18. 5 for A-6/KA-6 6 for Helicopters, EA-6B and 7 for S-3. The CAG paint job is merely a formality and courtesy. Even if the CAG was qualified in the EA-6B just a matter of luck and chance that they would fly the CAG bird, Every reasonable effort is made but no guarantees. CAG won’t be able to fly his aircraft if the engine is being changed, or down for other maintenance.

[@ABCantonese]

This would be an awesome private jet once you take it all the electronics!

[@tolson57]

Matthew, is your other aircraft that has been in combat your VF-211 F-14 A? VF-211 was my first squadron. I worked on the Fire Control Radar.

[@rogermata3612]

EWO's? I always heard ECMO's. VAQ-129

[@lobo5056]

What is the name of the jacket the pilot is wearing during the interview?

[@AnyDayNow360]

"Whidbey Jamming"

[@kevindown2755]

I like driving by Whidbey NAS & seeing the A6 display.

[@MrNx74205d]

"Is this turned on?" How do you think his hair came out like that???? :)

[@brianmack9219]

Out standing also a dasc

[@f4cphantom2]

After the Navy flies in an aircraft for the museum, how long to they spend deactivating anything potentially dangerous like the ejection seats ?

[@rahsaanmoore3986]

f4cphantom2 prob just taking out the radars, and classified Avionics, or anything that’s could be useful for maintenance and when it comes to ejection seats it just deactivating it and taking out all the rocket motors.

[@Wings_Museum]

It took a Navy crew of 5 or 6 two days to safe the plane. That's nuts!!!!

[@starliner2498]

@@Wings_Museum are you Matthew?

[@muskaos]

Those particular seats don't just have rocket motors, they have Cartridge Actuation Devices that do various things, like tighten the shoulder straps. They had to have been functional for the ferry flight down to the museum, but then the seats would have been disarmed post arrival. As far as electronics go, the plane would have flown down with radios, and what not, but the ALQ-99 system probably was not working, and the groud crew would have pulled a whole mess of boxes out of the airframe after it arrived. There are a bunch in the football on top of the vertical tail, and some in the birdcage that folds down in front of the arresting hook.

[@patrickmackinder8616]

Rahsaan Moore rocket motors, CADs PADs, Det cord (I use to be an AME in the navy)

[@Stacy_Smith]

It's rumored that 2 EA6B's induced a current spike by sending a magnetic pulse into a transformer station.

[@TheRolfano]

Where is this museum?

[@danapartridge9587]

Not “EWO” - rather it was “ECMO” - “Electronic Countermeasures Officer.”

[@danapartridge9587]

Also - you seem to have forgotten the EA-6A.

[@sabre22b]

Bit of a long shot but... Do any of you folks know if a decent series or documentary on the growler or ECM in general? There are lots of sources that gloss over it saying "it jams" whilst no-one talks about efficacy or range. Thanks.

[@eldermoose7938]

Well as of about March 2019 I think all American prowlers are retired now

[@macmike8329]

Gotta love the hair...

[@zacht9447]

My sister used to work on growlers now she mainly works on F18F's

[@happyhilton1618]

say you got that plane to a runway how long would it to get in the air in its condition ?

[@akulahawk]

That depends entirely upon what was destroyed. I'd be shocked if the engines were still usable. First you'd have to find functional J52 engines or a suitable replacement. I'm sure a lot of pumps, valves, connectors, etc were also damaged or destroyed so all those would have to be replaced. Since there likely won't be any direct replacements, that's going to be a problem. The aircraft systems (not ECM electronics and such) are all old tech so that's all repairable, but who knows if structural members were also compromised and that can be an even bigger problem...