EA-6B Prowler Flight to PCAM "extended rock version"

Our "extended version" features a lot of additional footage of the original Prowler Flight to PCAM video & is set to a rock theme. Acquisitions Director Mark Fajardin Sr. acquired the Prowler for the Pacific Coast Air Museum & set up 3 GoPro cameras in the cockpit. Prowler 158811 is an ICAP II Block 89A + & was accepted by the Navy on January 30, 1974 and assigned to VAQ-137 the Rooks on board the USS Enterprise participating in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. She spent from 2000 to 2008 forward deployed to Afghanistan, Turkey, and Atsugi Japan with CVW-5 participating in the Iraq war, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, and the War on Terror. Her last squadron was VAQ-129 the Vikings training Navy, Marine, & Air Force personnel at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.. Prowler 158811 has total flight hours of 11,951, total landings 18,215, & total Cats 2,283 and landed on December 7, 2013 with no gripes by VAQ-131 the Lancers. June 26 thru 28, 2015 saw the Prowler Sunset Celebration held at NAS Whidbey Island culminating in the fly off of the last Navy EA-6B Buno 163890 with the first Prowler pilot seated in back, USN Capt. Fred Wilmot (ret.) to here final home at NAS Pt. Mugu Air Park. I was truly honored to be invited for this historical event with people from 49 states and 9 foreign countries in attendance. The USMC will continue on with four Prowler squadrons retiring one per year until 2019. So long ole girl!

[@BeselerSimRacing]

The one dislike is from an Iraqi who had his radar jammed back in the first gulf war.

[@a-6ironworks153]

+Bingus258 Either that or one of the air museums that wanted it but lost the fight to me for Prowler 158811.

[@macieksoft]

Or maybe he tried SAM Simulator and got jammed and HARMed then before launching first SA-2.

[@Some_Random_Asshole]

He has now told his 39 cousins who have done the same

[@GOD719]

The A-6 prowler would be a sweet private plane. You could carry some friends and travel the world. Install TVs in the back for movies

[@BruceSwartz]

The A-6 was the Intruder, a 2 seat all-weather attack aircraft... the EA-6B Prowler was a stretched version of the A-6 with 2 addition seats in the rear to accommodate the Electronic Counter Measure Officers (ECMO) wich turned this platform into a very lethal Electronic Warfare aircraft.

[@macieksoft]

It would be fun if you had private one with ECMs. Imagine jamming all the GPS nearby (band 4 and 6 FYI). Or even better, disabling police speed guns so they won't catch your friend :-P

[@jarhead565]

F-18s can do that too. They just did it by accident with an LA Sheriff

[@nogod7184]

But no bathroom. Diaper is the only choice.

[@graycloud057]

It sure would be. You could put a two- four in that glove box!

[@s2v8377]

A-6 of all types were great airplanes. I'm starting to feel old, all the military planes I grew up with are either retired or being retired!!!

[@s2v8377]

+s2v8377 Excellent video!!! Thanks for the EA-6B memories!!!

[@a-6ironworks153]

+s2v8377 Glad you enjoyed it, and yes it does make you feel older. Even the bases I was stationed at are closed.

[@jdarksword]

s2v8377 agreed, though I was about 4 years to late to fly on Prowlers I still grew up with em.

[@RobertKaydoo]

I hated it when they retired the F-14.

[@gosolobox]

Please pardon our noise...It's the sound of freedom...

[@WesT10109]

2:42 Flying in a military jet with awesome view, snacking away with your friend. It doesn't get any better than that!

[@davidcole333]

flying a plane to a museum is like taking your dog to the vet to be put down. it just plain sucks

[@MainMan1274]

I was an A-6 driver (pilot) in the mid 80's....the A-6 was the strictly attack version of this aircraft....a joy to fly...I miss it...it ate a lot of fuel, but was loads of fun....

[@JJC2611]

MainMan1274 that’s awesome. My all time favourite book is Flight of the Intruder. Too bad the movie was rubbish.

[@OhMySack]

@@JJC2611 Ahhh...the guys in Devil's 5-oh-5! That was a great book! I couldn't put it down! And I agree. Like most Hollywood versions of great books, it failed at capturing the essence of the story. The movie had its moments but fell far short. Intruders and Prowlers were some cool birds of the time.

[@badlaamaurukehu]

They aren't allowed to do things like "monkey fucks" anymore. Very ssd😢

[@badlaamaurukehu]

Coldplay sucks btw.

[@badlaamaurukehu]

Coldplay suches dich.

[@tattoogamer9939]

Thank you for bringing me in the cockpit of my fathers aircraft during his time in the USMC. It's truly inspiring to see life in the air from his point of view.

[@a-6ironworks153]

Glad you enjoyed it just as much as we enjoyed making it. Blue Skies, Mark.

[@deanc.5984]

Excellent footage! This will last and be viewed for a LONG time.👍🏼

[@TheRolfano]

They say it’s ugly……..I say one of the most beautiful planes ever built! It does everything! I wish I could fly in one! Envious I am of these guys…..

[@johnstreet7656]

Marine Prowlers flew on until this year (2019) with the last squadron, VMAQ-2, being sunset in March.

[@toastecmo]

Look at the old girl work the pattern during the last flight. What an awesome bird, thanks to the mighty EA-6B a great plane.

[@12345fowler]

Finally someone with some taste in music and airplane... change from all those "look I'm flying the mighty *whatever"" here. Well done

[@robhartley9676]

..just a general aviation guy but AWESOME vids and music!

[@seanlincoln9984]

I adore this plane

[@ryant3600]

I remember youngsters coming aboard the KittyHawk (Wes-Pac 94, VAQ-134 Plane Capt.) and teasing us EA6 guys a bit cause our bird looked ugly and outdated compared to the 14's and 18's. But, I wouldn't have traded it for any of them. First, everyone knew when an A6 or EA6 was on the cat and launching.. the power and sound. And they are just really cool. Fun to work on, fun to watch, all the avionics/EW capabilities and throw in Harm missiles to boot. And they were quite maneuverable. Such a great plane. Sad to see them go.

[@MiceliCreations]

So long EA6B-Prowler - you served us well. Happy Independence Day! (4th of July-2015)

[@ph11p3540]

It's magic. It's witch craft. The EA-6B Prowler will cast a spell on you. Now the magic staff is passed onto the EAA-18 Growler.

[@a-6ironworks153]

Well the end of the Prowler in US Navy service is fast approaching as the Prowler Sunset Celebration will be at NAS Whidbey Island June 25 to 27, 2015. Several events are scheduled from dinners to reunions. One of the hangers will be converted into an exhibition hall by various contractors and will feature the last Prowler displayed with the new Growler. On Saturday afternoon we'll all line up on the flight line to watch the last Prowler fly away to her new home at NAS Pt. Mugu Air Museum. The USMC will continue to fly the old girl until 2019, so some of you can still get a chance to watch her fly, especially if your on the east coast. All the best, and FLY NAVY!

[@a-6ironworks153]

+VON Hi VON, The EA-18G Growler has replaced the Prowler for the US Navy.

[@kblackav8or]

I was sad to see the end of the Intruder and Prowler era at Whidbey. Seeing them fly around my house up there always put a smile on my face. Still bummed I missed out on my ride in 2010.

[@anthonypape556]

This was one of my favorites growing up. I thought it'd be so cool flying with my friends sitting next to me

[@a-6ironworks153]

+Anthony Pape I asked my Prowler flight crew buddies what they missed about flying her and they said all the other guys. There was always somebody saying or doing something with a crew of four to make things fun. In the Growler you can fly for over an hour and either guy says anything.

[@danhenderson8007]

I was one of the few civilians ever to fly in this aircraft-a great ride, a great jammer, and an even better comm jammer! Technology overtook it, and its high cost per flight hour doomed it….It did great work in Vietnam, in Libya, in Desert Storm, in Allied Force, in Iraqi Freedom, in Enduring Freedom, and other ‘unspecified operations’…RIP great Prowler!

[@petemitchell9996]

Ugly and beautiful at the same time. A relative of mine was operating one of the radar systems of the Yugoslav Air Defense during the 1999 war vs NATO and his comms were constantly being jammed. I don't know if you guys used these or something else but it worked very well.

[@zzodr]

64 bad guys had their mobile phones jammed

[@alexanderherrmann743]

I'm a fan of all Grummann aircraft. The A-6 and it's variants were a workhorse. Mad respect.

[@Avofan]

What a great plane! By far the most underrated aircraft ever!

[@a-6ironworks153]

Alexander Love I agree Alex, and all the maintainers in the VAQ squadrons miss their Prowlers. Most don't like working on "plastic" planes.

[@friendofcoal]

Great Aircraft & video. I can recall seeing a few of these A-6's flying down in the valleys, below the ridge lines, in West Virginia. I have always thought about how awesome that would be, to be on one of those flights roaring up the valley.

[@danhenderson8007]

Agreed, friendofcoal! It was indeed awesome!

[@mikegriego3671]

I miss working on that bucket of bolts :( VAQ-132 and 129 2003-2009.

[@michaeljohn8905]

I don’t care how ugly people say she is that’s my type of girl. I’ve always loved the E6B prowler and all the other E sixes I’ve read so many good things about her stall characteristics coming on the deck of a carrier. Love to see those big ole flaps extended coming in for a landing. What a beauty ... My only question is why are the flaps painted red underneath? No other airplane has that

[@ph11p3540]

EA-6 Prowler. It's all black magic and electromancy. The side with the best wizards always wins.

[@danhenderson8007]

Not Black Magic…it’s called ‘JATO magic’! JATO here means Jamming Technique Optimization…

[@gamestv4875]

Good soundtrack and beautiful aircraft.😻😻😻

[@podnolej7784]

A6 can still be useful USMC should keep them flying even after 2019 .

[@sonichuizcool7445]

F4 and this plane. My 2 favorites.

[@TorToroPorco]

The huge side canopy for the front seaters makes up for the slightly inelegant front windshield supports. What a glorious view that must be.

[@MsDannyrevs]

Fighter pukes make movies, Bomber Pilots make History and EW crews make it all happen. I love the history of the A6 and its varients sweet, sweet airplane.

[@garys1360]

I remember getting that plane ready to trnasfer to PCAM! I was with VAQ-129 as a civilian contractor when we disestablished the Prowlers.

[@a-6ironworks153]

+Gary S Hi Gary, you L-3 folks did a great job of maintaining the Prowlers and 158811 landed with "no grips". Lt. Bock said it was one of the nicest flying Prowlers he's ever flown. Thank you for your service and technical expertise to the Prowler community.

[@RastaJayBlackPirateMuzik]

AWESOME VIDEO.I WAS IN VAQ 131 NAS WHIDBEY LANCERS FOR LIFE

[@73FPV]

I was with the Rooks in the early 90s vaq 137. I wish I could repost this on my channel. awesome..

[@a-6ironworks153]

158811’s first squadron was the Rook’s. Her inaugural first cruise was to Vietnam in 1974-75 onboard Enterprise participating in operation frequent wind, the evacuation of Saigon. This was also the F-14 Tomcat’s debut cruise. Eventually she’ll be repainted circa 1974 in her Rook’s colors. Glad you liked her retirement video. Cheers, Mark.

[@bobbybooshay8641]

Yet another unwatchable video with the garage band music ruining it.

[@charlesb8065]

Today from the Smashing Pumpkins

[@keithgraham6889]

I was sad to see them retired. I liked to see them from my Ag Cat crop duster from time to time, right down on the deck. I went to an airshow and asked an A6-e pilot what was going to keep them from hitting us? He said "We will keep an eye out for you". I told the person with me that if I ever have a midair it would be with an A6-e. 4/14/93 one got me. They bailed out and I woke up five weeks later in an ICU to find out what happened. I have no hard feelings for the pilot and b/n, it didn't make their day ether.

[@a-6ironworks153]

Wow Keith, that’s a crazy experience and happy you and them survived it. I work in aviation operations and airport fire having near misses with aircraft trying to land on me or me coming up on comms to have an Alaska Airlines E-175 go around to avoid a crash sitting on a dark runway at night. A beautiful yet deadly business we’re in. Glad you liked the video and Blue Skies Always, Mark.

[@keithgraham6889]

@@a-6ironworks153 The worst part is it ended my flying career. Thank you for your response. Many times, if we know it or not, God is our copilot.

[@RastaJayBlackPirateMuzik]

Awesome video I was in VAQ 131 NAS, Whidbey.....Sky bolts!

[@cliffthompson4149]

How in the hell could you get one dislike on an A-6 Intruder. Even if I were your enemy I would still respect that jet. That is one badass piece of equipment!

[@ryansmithza]

Awesome plane, flying and video! That barrel roll was so sweet! The men and women who flew, crewed and maintained the Prowlers and Intruders are amazing too, no afterburners to light and run away with, not that this always can help, but still, what an amazing job!

[@doch.8039]

Seen this one, touched this one, hugged this one as a kid. Thanks for posting, it's so cool seeing her final trip to KSTS and PCAM!

[@Goontrader2]

Volume up when the Pumpkins came on. Great vid!

[@FirePilot2020]

Less than a mile from my home! Had no idea this video existed, found it by sheer luck.

[@XBradTC]

Fred Wilmot still lives just off the approach end of the runway at NAS Whidbey.

[@a-6ironworks153]

Got to meet Fred a few times at navy functions & greeted him on his last Prowler flight at the sundown celebration. A great man!

[@traveler582]

Totally badass! Great video, love the cockpit shots!

[@macieksoft]

Why they retire them? Why not to upgrade them? I think it has more space for specialized avionics than Growler. And also 2 more crewman. Is it due to airframe running out of servicelife? Or maybe they just want to fire half of the crew ;-) But maybe, after all of that, somebody will be allowed to release some of the secrets of the backseaters, maybe some detailed footage?

[@tbitv2035]

two of my favorite things as a teenager, smashing pumpkins and the intruder. I just wish I would have learned to fly instead of learning the guitar. thanks for the vicarious experience!

[@eltonhyland5485]

I see the VAQ-131 Lancer patch on the guy on the left. I'm an ex-Lancer from Whidbey. Great video and workhorse of an aircraft.

[@a-6ironworks153]

+Elton Hyland Glad you enjoyed the video Elton. Up front is the pilot Lt Alex Bock and VAQ-131 former CO/XO LCDR Dave Fields. All the guys except CDR Fields are still with the squadron and very much enjoying their new Growlers, although they all still miss the ole Prowler.

[@eltonhyland5485]

Thanks for the response. I live in the Tacoma area and thought about taking a drive up to the base. While I do have a vehicle sticker and ID. I doubt if I could get a very close look at the new Growler. It took 3 ECMO's to do what one does now from what I hear. In about 1982, the ICAP series EA-6B came out. After that in 88, I went to work for Heath Techna / Boeing. We built the new composite wings for the Intruder and Prowler. A lot of history in that bird.

[@a-6ironworks153]

+Elton Hyland Hi Elton, Lt CDR Bock, Lt. Saracini, and Lt. Hall are all still flying with VAQ-131 in the Growler now. XO Fields transferred to the Stennis. Thank you for your service!

[@WilliamHampton]

NO ! OH , HELL NO ! I have to say this ; As far as I KNOW !? Ain't a more EXQUISITE video tribute to this old battle bird and the bravest of aviators that flew her . Grumman "Iron Works" not with out mention of course ! Thanks Much to All Who Serve ! ;>)

[@a-6ironworks153]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@WilliamHampton]

Oh Yea ! Oh Yea ! Pardner ! Though I spent many a year more at N.A.S. Miramar trining with "TOPGUN" , Fighter Town U.S.A. ; We still had plenty of these Beautiful/ Fug-ly Grumman Birds sweeping the sites ahead of the strike forces . Thanks Again ! ;>)

[@aeroworkstech]

im a plane nerd who probably wont be able to join the military. thank you for saving and cataloging videos of my favorite plane lol. this was so cool. thank you

[@kevinhall8112]

My favorite plane. I spotted many of them on the catapults of the theodore roosevelt in the late 80s. One damn sexy bird. Miss em. Makeawish.

[@davidelkington117]

I miss doing Maintenance turns on those jets , they were so reliable but always come back broken ....lol

[@az_pit_viper4270]

God bless the EA-6B :-)

[@richardmellon5085]

Thanks brother. Brings back memories. For a sec I could smell the flight deck.CV 61 ranger airdale😢

[@gadooooo1]

Ughhhh. Everything was great.....better without the music........as this music detracts from anything it is paired with.

[@plane3613]

Very nice 👍👍👍

[@marchuckabone4785]

Prowlers forever!!! Semper Fi!!! Q4 Q2

[@WilliamHampton]

And ..Yep...I watch it over & over ! Great Stuff !

[@ChrisPBacon-ie6nh]

The music isn't quite so much "rock" (as the description depicts) as opposed to Top 40 or Pop.

[@MartinLopez-ys5dm]

That's "Speed of Sound" by Cold Play, 1st jam.

[@Dstew57A]

Loved this plane. Whidbey Island not to bad either...great video. Thx.

[@philosaraptorph.d8968]

She ahs served her country well and will continue to do so, the E-18 Growler will be a more than worthy replacement.

[@wysoft]

RIP Prowler

[@adanrodriguez3865]

EA-6B was my bird. AD3 VAQ-130 NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND.

[@rustykilt]

Nice to see the PROWLER getting the limelight.....great machine

[@garethbliss]

Thanks brother. Play Kid Rock we the people next time 🙂👍

[@MrSomethingdark]

first you play the most hated Coldplay, but repent with TODAY AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA such an emotional rollercoaster

[@pattyboy911]

My dream.. Thank you for sharing this, very inspiring to me Safe landings...Patrick

[@a-6ironworks153]

Patrick d Inspiration is what we're all about at the Pacific Coast Air Museum Patrick. The Prowler experience isn't something I think I'll be able to repeat and definitely a highlight in my acquisitions career. FLY NAVY!

[@clairecelestin8437]

I love the A-6 and variants. Thanks for showing us this flight!

[@TaffenFelspar]

It would have been nice to have a GoPro back in the day on Canada's Axe Man Low level...

[@elijahgreenberg2634]

Damn. Now I want cookies but don't have any in the house. Shize.

[@danieltaylor2340]

Wonderful aircraft

[@ОлегМокин-й3ф]

Дпс, - ник:Путин

[@JustDoinFlorida]

Electronic warfare... being attacked without actually being attacked. I can only imagine what the enemy was thinking as their SAMs were being disabled and destroyed without a shot being fired or a bomb being dropped.

[@danhenderson8007]

Ask Strike aircraft crew in ODS about SAMS flying into the dirt as directed by Prowlers…

[@rfresh1011]

I was wondering about the fuel load...I see they needed 4 external fuel tanks!! The A6 must drink fuel like there is no tomorrow!!

[@a-6ironworks153]

Ralph Freshour Actually the A-6 / EA-6B are very good on fuel & known for their long legs. They have a maximum range of 1,000 nm on internal fuel only & a ferry range around 2,400 nm give or take. On this retirement flight I asked for a fuel set of external tanks to display on the aircraft, so all 5 of those tanks were dry. Thanks for asking & glad you enjoyed the tribute video. Blue Skies!

[@rfresh1011]

A-6 Ironworks I had no idea the A6 had that kind of range...thanks for sharing...I guess it would make a good civilian aircraft after all...if you could buy one.

[@fakez90]

Wow, living the dream! Beautiful plane, awesome video! 🙏

[@wilfredomendez3450]

Beautiful, just beautiful.

[@matthewwheeler8540]

Awesome footage guys! Good job!

[@a-6ironworks153]

***** Thanks Matt, and it was a joy putting it all together!

[@jimmymac63]

So, what ty0e of aircraft did the crew go to after retiring this legendary bird. My last duty station as a Marine CID agent was MCAS Cherry Point.

[@a-6ironworks153]

EA-18G Growler

[@justinmyers8753]

thats so cool i miss it already it was a kickass plane

[@robinblair3703]

Flight of the B. Intruder girl. VA-42.

[@briand.8391]

VAQ - 138 Yellow jackets 😎🇺🇸

[@lucidphreak1137]

Baby bottles come in handy as compared to diapers.

[@kurttank3081]

Gran aeronave, hermosaaaaa

[@rustykilt]

truly excellent video...

[@martindavis9930]

Do the dummies and washouts have to sit in the backseat ?

[@dapencilshinobi]

I live the prowler and the intruder . I think they look cool. They look like a falcon without the beak and he’ll of a bite

[@karlbrundage7472]

Sadly, you won't be given an automatic pass to Heaven because you didn't run the Appalachian range that east-coast squadrons are honored to experience. Beg your commanders to allow you to hug the deck through the real America.........................................

[@jamesbeach5445]

i am so exited for the the Intruder to come to DCS

[@jrr3613]

Why the LA Chargers bolts in their helmets?

[@Dudleymiddleton]

Second track Smashing Pumpkins 'Today'

[@a-6ironworks153]

***** Thanks Dudley, KZbin put that title in on the song. Glad to hear from another Smashing Pumpkins fan.

[@lewiserwin2686]

VMAQ2, MCAS CHERRY POINT N C.

[@denniscashell2407]

wrong song, never designed to go supersonic.

[@po_lesnoy_reke]

Это ещё летает? 😬😬😬

[@benhoppe9313]

i remember seeing the last prowler leave Whidbey

[@timsolis4706]

I wish the fuel port would extend and retract into the aircraft. I love this plane but I wonder if that bothered the Pilots...

[@ericgirardet1848]

The perfect family plane! 😊

[@generalgabrielsatori]

Bruh same though here.

[@IntrudersForever]

What a beautiful aircraft.