Intruder Nostalgia Part 1: Desert Low Levels

[@bobisacson8555]

This aircraft and crew were from the VA-165 Boomers. I was a Bombardier Navigator in VA-196 Main Battery. Great memories of low levels and carrier landings in the early 80's. 1500 hours and 320 carrier landings.

[@alinili5569]

Bob Isacson You must had lots fun lucky you it was my dream job still is to be a fighter pilot but because i had to come to uk I only finished my national services

[@billotto602]

I tried to get into VA-196 at the end of my 1st enlistment. But all they'd offer me was P-3 or F-18. Buh-bye !

[@ronringwald5120]

I was in va-128 golden intruders in the mid 80's at whidbey, did you happen to know Mike kennicutt, AQ1 from 196. I was a AD troubleshooter

[@briancooper2112]

Thank you for service!

[@AlaskanTrain21]

Yeah, a lot of people think the Intruder and Prowler look ugly, but IMO they look magnificent. A perfect mix of streamlining and utilitarianism.

[@grindcoreninja6527]

I couldn't agree more, I think they look sexy.

[@TheRockerxx69]

AlaskanTrain21 they don t make them so beautiful anymore,!!!!

[@TheKCaryer]

Back in the early 70's, only three aircraft could deliver the good to high value, highly defended targets in the middle of the night. Those aircraft where the B-52's, F-111's and the A-6's. The F-111 had a disasterous operational start in 1968 and was taken out of action until 1972, the B-52's where due to their size not optimum for the targets around Hanoi, Haiphong, etc. The A-6 carried the load.

[@ToonandBBfan]

*Ken Caryer* I watched a documentary where a former F-111 pilot said he believed the A-6 Intruder was a better bomber. People really don't properly appreciate or understand just how good the A-6 was.

[@paulschab8152]

I'd probably say the all the F-111 and A6/EA6B are some of the sexiest aircraft ever made. I also love the XB70, B1B, and B52 along with every other plane I'm missing lol.

[@spacedigger]

You have no idea how beautiful i find this. Beautiful helmet too. Great jet. Really awesome video.

[@Sweetteawillie]

Love the Intruder and Prowler. They were my specialty back in my service days. Structures, pneumatic systems, hydraulics service and repairs as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. Even performed launch and recovery duties as a plane captain. Great aircraft adapt easily to multi-purpose rolls. The Hornet and Growler are the offspring of the A-6, evolving in speed and self-defense. Go Navy!

[@briancooper2112]

Popcorn ready!

[@jbozobo]

Thanks for sharing, spent 4 1/2 years flying these in the early 90's, still a shame that they went away, would have been perfect for the last ten years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Miss those low-levels.

[@thirdactwarrior317]

I was a Bombardier Navigator in A-6's with the VA-65 Tigers. Got over 1,000 hours and 329 carrier landings. I did a lot of low levels like this, all over the world, including one really memorable one through a fiord in Norway. Great memories!

[@bobbeatty8149]

My son is on a mission to recover an A-6 crash site that occurred in Panama in 1985. I'm a retired Chief and always admired the A-6... almost as much as the F-14. This video is a clear indicator of what mission the A-6 was built to complete. Much admiration for those that flew it...

[@r.olayvar335]

@mustang33fly: Mahalo's for the memories...was a grunt with 3rd Marines during the Storm...had a few A6 jocks roll in an plaster a Rublican Guard position as we moved towards Ras Al Jaber during the first gulf war. Was a sad day knowing these babies were retired soon after..... Again Mahalo's.

[@paulschab8152]

I'd probably say the F-111 and A6 are my favorite strike aircraft. Just something about those side by side cockpits.

[@kickZtailout]

The venerable A-6. Gone but not forgotten. Kick ass footage, thanks for the watch.

[@mustang33fly]

@fraucow Two helmets types here. Pilot has the single visor type and I have the clunky double visor. It let me be lazy in that I didn't have to switch out day/night visors before flights. At that time (circa 1991) the USAF-style helmets were all the rage and lots of guys went for those--still in use today. They have no hard cover over the visor. I never went that route. Now my old helmet gathers dust on a bookshelf.

[@jyellowhammer]

That's some Sierra Hotel Flying gentleman. Thank you for sharing. Rah!

[@kevingast4519]

I was a 1970's EA-3B guy and always envious of the A-6. kg

[@GJones462-2W1]

Great stuff! Some of the best in-cockpit shots I've seen. I'm an old F-111 guy, but I have always had an admiration for the A-6. Similar roles, I guess. Thanks for posting these!

[@thesweatleaf]

I can only imagine the rivalry between A-6s and F-111s in regard to bombing accuracy

[@tedjob21]

I'm sure there was mutual respect between the 2 communities.

[@thesweatleaf]

@@tedjob21 going back to Vietnam, the A-6s had far superior accuracy, while the Air Force developed the F-111's ground attack systems for a far less satisfying result

[@briancooper2112]

Thank you for your service .

[@GJones462-2W1]

@@briancooper2112 Thanks, Brian. I do appreciate that!

[@signorpippistrello]

I found it cool even as a kid! Might not be pretty and supersonic but I was always more into the ground hugging any time any weather fighters! Only thing that always bothered me was the lack of a proper cannon.

[@vermontvermont9292]

Retired from service too soon. Absolutely love the A-6!

[@gruffmusic]

Former VMA (AW)-121 A-6 Marine here. Great plane!

[@joemarshall9708]

Green Knights are the best. 86 to 92

[@Dstew57A]

My Friend Brian was a pilot in one of these. He was stationed at Whidbey…we met in Seattle… I wonder about him now and then. A great guy. Hope he is doing well.

[@skip4309wtf]

A-6....bad ass plane.....

[@dennishayes65]

I was a plane captain in VA-42 NAS Oceana 1972-1975. Enjoyed working with A-6s

[@Motoguzzi750]

Great video mate, just the bare bones and all the better for it! The A6 is a true classic.

[@counciousstream]

I know a fellow who flew weapons on an A6. He said that it was a great aircraft, very smooth ride. He and the pilot were a team and worked together seamlessly, anticipating every move. He also said that the looping twisting rides at an amusement park were more aggressive than anything he every flew in combat.

[@nickk3345]

My dad was a Boomer, and an Intruder. Thought I recognized that helmet

[@TamaDrumNut]

As does mine, with my O2 mask and my boom mike still attached. My last tour was a non-flying one and I never turned in my flight gear when I left. I still have my g-suit, torso harness and SV-2 minus the bladder of course.

[@mustang33fly]

The plane passing below us is a Tornado

[@JS-ob4oh]

Another DoD blunder cancelling the upgrades (A-6F Intruder II) to the A-6 for the A-12 Avenger which was not even near production when the entire project was scrapped; forcing the use of the F-14 for the role which in turn was retired and now only the F-18 in service. Now we're stuck with a dog call F-35 and none of the 3 (F-14, F-18, and F-35) has the range and payload of the A-6. One giant step backwards.

[@becauseiwasinverted5222]

Well even with the -F model upgrades, the Intruder was still a bit behind on the survivability curve. The Avenger's failure probably cost the Navy more than any other bad decision since the jet age. Maybe the A-6F would have been decent as a stopgap, but I just don't know. Russian SAMs were getting more and more sophisticated.

[@IamN0-1]

These vids are worth there weight in gold

[@TamaDrumNut]

That looks like the route from Whidbey to Fallon. Flew that many a time in the 'truder, often carrying Mk 82 steel.

[@EveryoneIsFightingSomeBattle]

Great video! Loved it at 0:52 "got a visual on Kevin out there....." That Kevin, he looks like he's up to some sort of hijinks.

[@boogiman007]

"fighter jocks make movies... bombers make history!"

[@derekhartigderek7661]

Great movie.

[@stuartshallproductions7409]

Great video, not sure why it showed up on my feed, but heck who cares. Love seeing the old A-6, miss them flying over my house everyday!

[@rossbabcock2974]

I served with VMA-(AW)-533 from 78 to 82. I was an avionics tech and if you're into avionics, it doesn't get any more 'star wars'' than that. At least for the 70s. Great pilots, great bird! Ugly, but if you want to put bombs on target in 0 viz, call in the A-6's!

[@cubansamich]

i was a boomer from 1991 to 1994, airframes ph5 120, great video love the intruders, go BOOMERS!!!!!!

[@stevehammond9156]

Oh how I miss that wonderful aircraft!

[@Darthbelal]

I wish they would've kept the A-6, just update the damn thing with modern avionics and perhaps more efficient engines and it'd still be as valuable today as it was back then. The B-52 is still flying because it just WORKS, same with the A-6.........

[@anpmech]

Thanks for not forcing me to hear crappy music!

[@JamesJoyce12]

back in the day rules were - gloves on; visor down; landing lights on - before low level

Only the A-6 could do low level, down town, take it their face attack at long range as well as roles the Hornets could never fill. The Navy suffers today because of the lack of long range capabilities.

[@gregvanhof5602]

Served in the Boomers during the reign of Wild Woody Sprouse. Ordnance Shop and FDC. What a ride..

[@pushitgently001p]

They did substitute but never the real replacement,very rugged airframe and even the super Hornets won't get near the A-6 amazing range and huge payload

[@ToonandBBfan]

The Intruder is a terrific airplane

[@michaelbagby2929]

So nice to see it again.

[@MrBinx2006]

Boomer 89-91, great work, cool and interesting. Glenn Cheung

[@suwanee4me]

Thanks for the memories, Mark VA-52 B/N

[@WendelltheSongwriter]

The last great stick and rudder ship.

[@dak2005vn]

Great. Hope you've got some more like this!

[@briancooper2112]

Great video!

[@wildwindsca]

great footage like how the pilot banked for the shooter to get the shot of the converging tornado. scud hunting?

[@gpm9333]

Love the prowler.

[@Glashawk1]

Great footage! Thanks for posting.

[@grucker01]

My Old Squadron... Go Boomers... ;)

[@howlinmaddoc528]

I was a VA-165 Boomer AQ The Gods of Thunder!

[@bobbycvsixfour5258]

That's what I thought when I saw the helmets, VA165 Boomers. I was on Constellation 77-81 (just getting ready to scrap 16 Jan 2015) and VA165 was our A6 attack squadron, CVW9, NG. I was AIMD / IM-2 / Jet Shop and knew a couple guys from VA165. If you were on the ship, I can send the names

[@howlinmaddoc528]

bobby cvSixFour Bobby, just a hair before my time, 86-93. We were still CAG-9 our home boat then was the Nimitz. Although did some Dets on Indy, Connie, & Sara. Always wanted to do a Det on the Big E, but alas I didn't get the chance and now she's decommissioned. :( A great ship finally gets her rest. Of course we ticked off VA-196 when we were picked for Paramount's movie Flight Of The Intruder which we did on the Indy. They wanted the best on The Rock and of course that was The Boomers. Wouldn't trade that time for almost anything. I am excluding my great wife and 6 kids. :) P.S. don't drop a Rockeye on me, but I accidentally hit Report instead of Reply, so if YT hollers at you blame me.

[@dustygrunt]

+Mad Doc I was a AQ over at VA 128

[@willwatts2309]

We were there at the same time....

[@mikeday6908]

MAD DOC VA-85 AQ here.

[@wiesenbefeuchter]

Does the flir actually track in "MAN"

[@KO3MOHOT]

Is that a VA-165 logo on your helmet? I used to hang out with a few Boomers (they were in one of the nearby hangars at NASWI) - good times!

[@KO3MOHOT]

Gotta give credit to Grumman for the best use of the "Barn Door Theory" (make a wing like a barn door, and no matter how much stuff you hang off of it, the plane won't fly any slower).

[@kblackav8or]

Really wanted to fly those but was not to be. Would have been a short career, they went away 4 years after I was winged and with the jet pipeline at the time I would have never seen them. I think we would have had Intruders past 2010 had they bought the A6F.

[@flyer203]

Below you????Howlow was this bloody tornado flying?

[@allgood6760]

Awesome 👍

[@JohnSteeleiii]

Just AWSOME!

[@vanquished6583]

Looks like Oman? If it was pre 1991 then I met a few 'Boomers' on that detachment, as they acted as FACs with my dad. I remember 'Squiggy' and co well. :)

[@SkyGaruda]

Those tape artefacts looks like tracers xD

[@aaronanstett8987]

Man if I could fly any aircraft in history it would be the a6,f4,p51 and p38 probley the most would be the a6 fast stable and looks fun

[@LetsTubetalk]

Many roles for this plane.... Was a great jammer from heat remember.... I ALWAYS loved this ugly plane.... I don't know why. It's like a bull dog... So ugly only a mother could love... LOL

[@shawnwomack3446]

Is this during the Gulf War in 1991?

[@Tarten46]

Personally Id take the word of the eyeballs in the strike package that witnessed the event (ie: MIG). If the eyeballs in the strike package believe it was a Mig kill then they were aware of its presence. Iraq had the entire 80's to learn USN tactics,electronic signatures,etc while we were refereeing the Iran/Iraq war. The Mig is a capable aircraft and there is some evidence that suggest Iraqi combat aircraft were squawking or using ecm on coalition IFF frequency.

[@RamadiTaxiDriver60M]

EVERYONE loves Low Level flying. I don’t care what you fly you want to fly it LOW!

[@Sreybk]

Who was on his wing? Almost looks like an F-16.

[@oporim]

What happened at 5:20? You had a warning sound and camera went off.

[@bombardierdude15]

what were they doing

[@TheDustysix]

i served VMA-AW-224 bengals 77-81.

[@aeroengguy448]

Did you make the 78-79 Iwakuni deployment? I was in MAG-12 S-3 then and flew with you guys - B/N.

[@TheDustysix]

@@aeroengguy448 Yes, May 78/9. I got augmented to H&MS-12 Paraloft. Semper Fi Sir. No Soba truck here.

[@ablemorghon]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@wiesenbefeuchter]

And are cursors and reticle synchronized?

[@wiesenbefeuchter]

Desert Shield ?

[@ericcartman8354]

I did a west pac back in 80, always thought the A6 was sexy

[@billotto602]

BEST BOMBERS THE NAVY EVER HAD ! VA-42 & VA-85 1976-1980.

[@TheKCaryer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6fcc6WOZsp-aqs

[@KidnapSix]

Very Cool!

[@AutoHoax]

The A6 was about the loudest jet I can remember. From NAS Meridian or NAS Coronado or NAS Cubi Point. When they came by or took off it was LOUD. They seemed to hold more ordinance than any other Naval aircraft.

[@WilliamnWendySue]

VA-65?

[@justforever96]

Isn't it like illegal to film the cockpit of a military aircraft? Seems like I heard that somewhere once. Also, when you see how fast the ground is moving along under you, it's amazing to consider that the A-6 is considered a "slow" jet. Think what Mach 1+ at 200ft must have looked like in an F-105. Of course, I doubt they often flew much faster than you are in this video when they were on actual missions and strapped with ordnance. I always figured that 80% of the cost of developing a supersonic aircraft went into giving the ability to fly above Mach 1, even though they spend 99% of their time at subsonic speeds and can carry out the majority of their missions without ever going supersonic.

[@billfish6244]

Question. Do you know what really happened to Lt.Cmdr. Scott Speicher on 1/17/91? Did a Mig-25 really shoot him down? If so, how did AWACS miss the Mig? His story is a very sad and bizarre one. Thank you for any input you can provide?

[@RYDER8140]

He was shot down by a Mig-25 and his remains were found in 2009. I think he was at the highest range of missile range which might be 20 miles. The first day of war a lot of airplanes flying and the AWACS missed it or called it and it was to late.

[@00calvinlee00]

VFA-81 and VFA-83 had a strike mission near H3. A MiG-25 took off in burner and a lot of the guys saw him. The E-3 wouldnt clear the other Hornets to fire. A lot of guys think that the MiG crashed afterward or got shot down on another mission since the Iraqis never made a claim. I had friends on the Saratoga during that cruise.

[@Kononov1941gg]

looks like the Boomers emblem alright.

[@geoago]

0:27 F 111, Tornado, or ????????

[@afterburnerUSAF]

Is this over Iraq?

[@GuMpAkC]

"Fighter pukes"

[@pontiacGXPfan]

The Iron Tadpole. It's so odd looking it's actually pretty handsome. Was this with the 165 Boomers?

[@edeteffiong5046]

The A-6E is The Ugly in The Triune "The Good "F-14", The Bad EA-6B"and The Ugly"A-6E"). The Ugly - Holy Toledo it's A Fish(Their Ugly Fish). Yamamoto Knew They are The reason he told them he will tell the Emperor Himself why The Americans didn't stop coming.

[@SpacewolfCZ]

Flight on Arrakis :-)

[@GuMpAkC]

Now they use F-18's for everything, or so it seems :(

[@willwatts2309]

VA-165 Boomers, 92-95, AZAN

[@michaelblankenship2789]

Is this VA 165 ?

[@larrywiggin3489]

When we shared a shop with the boomers they were flying spads off the Oriskany CVA-34, I was with VAH-4 Det Golf back early 60’s!

[@mustang33fly]

Tornado

[@motel29]

I thought this Aircraft was a sub hunter....~

[@FightingFalconFilms]

The A-6 Intruder was a 2 seat attack aircraft. Later on the built the EA-6 Prowler based off the A-6 but instead of being an attack aircraft it was mainly used for Electronic Warfare (i.e radar jamming etc.) but it could also carry missiles (HARM missiles and Anti Radiation Missiles. And the EA-6 didn't hunt submarines, the navy uses other planes/helicopters for those missions.

[@motel29]

Thank You Sir for the info, My brother was on the U.S.S. Nimitz (CVN 68) and sent me photos of Aircraft on board. Way back in the 80s' Do you remember the A-7 Corsair?

[@justforever96]

You are thinking of the S-3 Viking. That was the Navy's carrier-borne fixed-wing ASW aircraft. Now it's retired and I believe all the sub-hunting is left to helicopters.

[@KidnapSix]

justforever96 probably thinking of an S-3 Viking

[@FightingFalconFilms]

justforever96 And P-3's

[@erk396ss]

Devil 505 .....feet dry! Iron hands my thing! Put your mask on there gunna be a gun fight!. ............what movie? 👍

[@DDubya004]

Flight of the Intruder

[@erk396ss]

Hell yea!

[@keithwhitmore5753]

Cole Virgil Cole

[@TheHeadman]

Go Boomers

[@tootrue6529]

Did you guys see the F-111 pass under them at 1.2 mach? They didn't either... Go Air Force!

[@popeyecop1]

Boomer AO 87-90

[@afterburnerUSAF]

Is this over Iraq?

[@winnerwolf9546]

+RizzleTizzle probably California or Nevada