Flying Missions in the EA-6B | Behind the Wings

[@Wings_Museum]

Thanks to pilot Matthew Maher and Naval Flight Officer Ethan Williams. Drop your EA-6B questions/comments! Watch Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpWWgZx9m76hpM0

[@Wings_Museum]

Full interview: wingsmuseum.org/resources/podcasts/behind-the-wings-the-podcast-s5-episode-44/

[@johnwayne3085]

I'm a Grunt who lived on a small COP in Paktika, Afghanistan. When they did "burn runs" besides all the IEDs explosions, our PSPs would cut out and we couldn't play Splinter Cell until they left the airspace over us.

[@NOMACD]

Friendly fire! That's hilarious

[@hughlb2]

This is really well put together, especially hats off to the editors, they keep it moving and cut to appropriate footage that aligns with what is being discussed. The aviators were well spoken, concise, and did a great job at conveying what their experiences felt like. I learned a number of new things and have new respect for the EA-6B. Home run!

[@sharizabel2582]

As an Air Force EWO, I had a joint tour, four years, with the Navy in the Prowler. One of the best assignments I had.

[@chuckpf7018]

I so enjoyed listening to pilot Matthew Maher and Naval Flight Officer Ethan Williams sharing their experiences with the Prowler which was my very first program that I worked on back in Grumman in 1972. I love walking into the museum and seeing it sitting there like an old friend waiting to share a great story and this podcast just added a few more. Thanks!

[@GeorgeNolte-MaxVmaqTwo2]

I flew the EA-6B and had about 3,500 hrs of flight time between 1978 -‘88, then flew almost 31 years with. My Grandson starts college next Fall. His College has a Flight Degree then wants to go on and fly the Growler. I was the Marine Instructor in 1985 that started the DACM Program at VAQ-129 for all 12 Squadrons at NAS Whidbey. In 1986 I was awarded “Pilot Instructor of the Year. Yes, the Prowler was a Breast and all most every day I think about her and missed her. To all you Prowler crew out there, wasn’t it wonderful to let those P-408’s lose on a low level then meet a Fighter in the Olympic Warning area and go round and round until you were low on fuel!!! The Bald Max

[@BeechSportBill]

2003 a NAS Whidbey EA-6B (#500) on a low level blew up north of Pendleton, OR. …. Everybody successfully punched out! Umatilla County support the recovery for 60 days…

[@mike9347]

Yeah. I was just a Frigate Sailor and Australia never had AC's when I was in. But I used to dream of being a Maintainer for any type of bird on a US Carrier. Aircrew is fine and I salute these two, but I enjoy fiddling with stuff that's broken. So I loved watching this and how the Aircrew acknowledged their ground support people. Goodonya Fellas 🤠

[@MH6M]

"Be humble, approachable and credible" - amasing advice for anny carier field.

[@ibDirtyGlasses]

Always loved the look of the prowler, an icon of its time

[@Michael-en7of]

First time I ever saw one was as a boot at Camp Pendleton.

[@VibeXplorer]

Agreed! Grumman designs were always so unique.

[@isaachartford8354]

Incredible!! This channel just gets better and better!!

[@scottharris5714]

What a great and informative insight provided by two professionals who have flown the Prowler. I have always been fascinated by the jamming capabilities of these airframes (EA-6B and EA-18G). Learning how the prowler was able to combat IED's on the ground to protect our troops was very interesting. Thank you and Fly NAVY!!

[@johnmarlin4661]

Old ZAPPER here ! NFO that did 2 tours Yankee Station Gulf of Tonkin flying rightseat in guess what , EA1F Fat Spads ! Totally analog !! Really enjoyed this video guys BZ !!

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Nice to hear a pilot praise the maintainers.

[@buzz5969]

Maintainers names are stencilled on the Aircraft, are you a Participation trophy kid?

[@JeffBilkins]

First carrier landing you do alone is an interesting tradition.

[@WanJae42]

Good icon :)

[@gansior4744]

Always love some EA-6 content. Probably my favorite Naval Aircraft. Such a cool concept and mission scope

[@glideslope6845]

As an EA-6B fan, I loved it! Thanks for sharing All these awesome content! Greetings from Brazil

[@yoyoyoyoshua]

EA-6B*

[@glideslope6845]

@yoyoyoyoshua yeah lol I didn't see it obviously was a simple mistake haha

[@rp1645]

I love the closing question asked of these excellent pilots and very important crews. Be humble and always want to " LEARN" more. Don't set your heart only I want to fly F-18s. If not LOVE your ( VIP) seat in the Jet, you fly 😊

[@haddadsfinx9774]

You're Doing An amazing job by bringing those interviews to youtube Thanks a lot i really like this

[@Mrrnobody]

Flight of the Intruder is a great movie highly recommend it!!

[@DiceStrike]

..no it isn’t .. William Defoe is in it sure .. but it’s one of the worst films he said he’s been in .. he hated it Terrible acting from the main guy

[@skat5268]

When I worked at Boeing in Everett, every once in a while an A-6 would take off from Paine Field and they were the loudest. Regulations keep commercial planes relatively quiet but the military is under no such restrictions. But the noise echoing off the hangar was just insane from one A-6.

[@AvgeekJoe]

Thanks guys! Loved to hear the stories of landing on the carrier! OLF Coupeville FOREVER!

[@NSFA]

I worked on these ac in 2007 as a maintainer. One of the coolest airframes in the sky at the time! Good video folks

[@00calvinlee00]

Got to work with VAQ-209. Awesome men and women!! Also miss those great J52s!!

[@p7outdoors297]

Could you expand on what value the women brought to the fight? I think there's so much vitriol around women in combat that I could be helpful to hear the perspective of someone who's served with them

[@00calvinlee00]

@p7outdoors297 There have been questions about women in combat since 1992/93 when the DoD allowed women in Combat Aircraft. There was the same vitriol in 1947 when the DoD was integrated. Trained and capable, women Sailors and Aviators are just like any other Sailor or Aviator. The ALQ-88 doesn't care, the AGM-88 doesn't care and the Prowler didn't care. Those systems, weapons, and platforms need qualified Sailors to maintain and operate them. I have a Niece who being tough like her Dad is in the USN as Navy Security. She shoots ARs better than her father (10 year Navy Vet), her Uncle (14 yr USMC/8 yr USAF) and me. The other Uncle (4yr USMC) we haven't shot with. There are a lot of ignorant people who question women in combat but I have never heard it as an issue from the combat Vets I know. Same thing with the Navy,Marine and Air Force folks I've been honored to know. Look up LCDR Stacy Bates, Capt Dennis Gillespie and Air Wing 11 1994-1995. Lt Hultgreen was in the Air Wing as well. She was qualified to fly Navy Tactical Aircraft but got killed in an F-14A crash. LCDR Bates crashed an F-14 due to pilot error, had a few RIOs who refused to fly with him and still got approved to fly again. He crashed another F-14, killed his RIO, three civilians and himself. No one pointed at him and said DEI. Our Nation is blessed with a great Military. Not perfect but great. There are a fare share of bad eggs but it deals with Command not tossing the bad eggs. I have been connected with USN,USMC and USAF Aviation for over 40 years and have yet to hear that "Pilot B" wasn't up to that task. I may pull some folks together because the vitriol that you mention does seem to exist but I have never heard it from my family or contacts in the Fleet. It will be a good topic at Tailhook or at the 250th Celebration next fall in Philadelphia. If you could make it it should be a great event with so many people better qualified to answer your question.

[@00calvinlee00]

@p7outdoors297 Looks like my reply was deleted. Aviator Wise, with friends for years in that community, I've never heard anyone who felt the women as a whole weren't qualified. VAdm Sara Joyner (USN) and Captain Tammie Jo Shults (USN Ret) and Captain Vernice Armour (USMC Ret) are well known pilots who have or are serving. I met the Admiral years ago when she was XO of VFA-105. She is awesome as are Captains Shults and Armour.

[@HoldTheLine1990]

Just found this and totally enjoyed the interview. Hearing about all the “extras” around flying an EA-6 is cool. Having been based and flown out of a Navy base I can attest to the freaking loud and bone shaking power the plane, and its sister the A-6, does have. Sitting next in line for takeoff and having her takeoff in front of us was cool. And forget about if two went at the same time. Whoa!!!

[@photo155]

I was in Marine Squadron VMAQ-2 Playboys...we were so popular we had our own groupies!

[@NOMACD]

I cannot explain why, but ive Always loved the prowler and the intruder. Very pretty airplanes. I worked on the F-15 so obviously id have to put that as #1 but the A-6 is a close second

[@Avofan]

The Prowler in my opinion, by far the most underrated plane of its time.

[@VibeXplorer]

Fantastic interview, fantastic footage! Terrific detail. The advice Meatwad gave future aviators applies to any endeavor in life, especially the failure-resiliancy part.

[@grega2362]

I was the electrician on the PAX river det when they fired the first HARM. Plugs and muffs with 2 layers of foam on the deck. The only time they were ever allowed to crank up to 100% was in Iraq and they jammed everything, including the friendly. Apparently, you dont have to kick check the ann panel in the Growler.

[@AgentAlex96]

Love this plane. Big ups

[@fanBladeOne]

Captivating story. Great plane, in my opinion.

[@Adblock4lyfe]

10:00 footage from 'Behind Enemy Lines'!!

[@suasponte8363]

Loved burning routes with them.

[@Outofcontrol39]

So informative. Many thanks

[@stevehall734]

Great insight. Thank you sirs.

[@thinkandrepent3175]

God Bless our service members ❤

[@ghost-mikeMZO]

Great vid, thank you.

[@williambarnebee40]

I had the privilege of living near to Whidbey Island NAS. The sound of freedom, baby!

[@Sharpspur1965]

When I started out in my career in the US Navy back in the 80’s the A6’s had a super high pitched engine sound when it was at full military power on the catapult preparing to launch. Loudest jet on the Carrier for sure. It even produced a red hot glowing light in the engine if you were in a position to see into the tailpipes at full throttle. I miss those ugly old Intruders & Prowlers.

[@frisk151]

Excellent coverage! Thanks

[@SolidMikeP]

Great production

[@jckkl4350]

T-2 was before the T-45. What a classy airplane! Lots of people figured out they either “had it” or didn’t in that airplane.

[@petrlicht]

Hi guys.. thanks for your YT channel and very interesting talks 🛩️👍🏻🙋🏻 and I want to say Hi from Czech Republic 🇨🇿 Europe 🌍

[@looksgoodfrommyhouse9227]

Nice touch and go at OLF Whidbey shown here. Greetings from whidbey island!

[@youdoyouplayer8529]

These things are a party. Not a a fan of side by side pilots in high performance jets, but it really has a “group of buddies on a roadtrip” vibe.

[@karelpgbr]

I never knew there were four seats! “The Minivan” 😂😂 Also it’s nice hearing the pilots praise the maintainers! Well done all

[@williamhedrick7983]

I will bet on the deck. They were probably more closely matched speed wise than people think...a fully loaded growler ain't going Mach 1 at sea level!

[@railscanner]

Great advise on adversity. I'm stealing that for my own development at 70 years of age!

[@tommynikon2283]

The LOUDEST plane I ever heard….easy, HARRIERS!

[@jrmotorsports5532]

Thanks for sharing.

[@WarrensAdventures]

As an Ordnanceman with VMAQ-1 (2007-2011) this is was one of the more boring aircraft to be an AO on. Loaded a lot of flares… I do miss the sound of them entering the brake though, they would make this cool howl as they opened the speed brakes and banked over the airfield.

[@AA-xo9uw]

"entering the brake though"(sic) break

[@rockhopper01]

@@AA-xo9uwhe’s a jarhead ordnance guy, what do you expect? *Jarhead EA-6B COM/NAV guy here, VMAQ-4 here 😂

[@556bc]

I like his Meatwad patch. Cool in my book. I had Meatwad painted on my gun turret shield on my JERRV.

[@jimmygadd]

"4 man party van" lool

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

1:10 "So you both ENLISTED in the Navy pretty early in your lives...." Pilots and ECMOs are officers, therefore they do not ENLIST. They go to college or one of the service academies and are then COMMISSIONED an officer.

[@rafaelcarvalho7727]

Callsign "Fester" is wild. LOL

[@camronfitzsimmons9527]

2007-2008 i was in a land cruiser leaving Kabul going to baf. 3/4 there a prowler flew over crazy low. Which we took as a warning. It went back up and a few ieds went off about a mile up the road. My dad was an intruder guy. Thought it was cool to be in the situation

[@EricPetzoldt]

Love the inclusion of Hollywood's "Behind Enemy Lines" video @ 9:59 mark. Half way expecting Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman to make an appearence.

[@TurboHappyCar]

The answer to "Why is the Prowler so loud" is that the J58's are turbojet engines. Turbojet engines work by expelling the exhaust gas at high velocity. The higher the velocity, the more thrust, and the more noise. With turbofan engines you have the low velocity "bypass air" that isn't going as fast, and muffles noise from the engine core. So other aircraft with turbojet engines would have been just as loud, but the Prowler was just the last one on the boat with turbojet engines.

[@josephleon2042]

I was a kid wearing a shirt screen printed with the EA 6B Prowler swimming on the California coast.

[@steveman1982]

"Fester" Gee, I wonder where that came from :D (Salutations from a fellow bald man)

[@mikelovejoy7552]

You know there were EA-6A’s too. They were very effective too.

[@akulahawk]

Yes but there were very few of them.

[@csoehlig]

Behind enemy lines footage at 10:00.

[@jodyleder5406]

Meatwad is such a great callsign.

[@bo-vd4od]

Noisiest ever!!! All BOOM and no zoom.

[@CÆSSIUS32]

Flight of the Intruder

[@rp1645]

Thank you so much for having a frank conversation with these excellent ( jammer ) airspace warfare Pilots and most important part of Airframe, all the high tech weapons and control of enemies radar or power to explode equipment. To me, it's amazing to take control, mess up, and completely blind the enemies Radar 😊❤😊. Probably the most important Airframe in a fight with enemy missile and Radar trying to find the 😊 F-18s and other Navy Jets that must do their runs without being lit up by enemy early warning Radar. I remember the Prowlers flying out of Whidbey Island over Port Townsend Washington state. They were very LOUD. Navy Jets could never see them as they headed west out over Pacific 😊 but boy, it exciting me hearing them in flying training. Very excellent REDUNDANCY on the 4 crew verification of targets.😊😊

[@Idahoguy10157]

The loudest? I nominate the B-1 in afterburner

[@nick_pappagiorgio]

They didn't enlist in the Navy, they commissioned.

[@pathann99]

Lol 4:55 double hearing protection. Yah negative

[@BosworthMcG]

What does he mean when he says they would turn the carriers around for the A6B mission? Why would they do that? Because of wind direction?

[@jeffk6941]

I think he is trying to say that the mission they can perform is so unique to that aircraft, that the ship could be tasked specifically for them at a moment's notice. Not every mission is to jam, and its not just the Navy that used them.

[@BosworthMcG]

@ ahhh ok! Thanks for explaining it! That’s pretty cool!

[@AA-xo9uw]

"A6B mission"(sic) EA-6B

[@williamrobinson3700]

Time to upgrade that AC.

[@akulahawk]

They did. The Growler picked up where the Prowler couldn't grow any further. Going to a non-AB F404 motor like they proposed with the A6F would have helped but there were no new airframes for the EA6B and the power requirements for new systems works have likely been more than what the AC could support without a massive upgrade in all the wiring, computers, radar and more.

[@williamrobinson3700]

@ I know but still not completing with 5gen tech.

[@viperdriver82]

Why wasn’t Fester able to fly ?

[@benskywalker2351]

And now this stuff can be done by 2 people in a growler

[@Ficon]

LMAO Fester. Merciless.

[@eb-pe8xg]

The Prowler is so ugly it's beautiful.

[@CallsignEskimo-l3o]

Prowler: 1 Italian Cable Car: 0

[@jckkl4350]

They may not seem like the most lethal combat jet…but then they jam your face off…

[@paulscountry456]

Those are so loud its like they are ripping the atmosphere apart....

[@paulscountry456]

I will say after years at JBLM those are the loudest plane I ever heard ,we just lost two pilots here crashing in the wilderness near here in EA 18 G, it was covered up quickly and recieved little press,the pilots were two experienced females.

[@MrMaximkozin]

Why did they stop at only 3 EW guys?!

[@Christmas-Cooter]

Charming aircraft. Very underestimated. But, yeah, the loudest things ever. lol They used to be next door to my squadron. Spoolin up all the damn time, testin.. _wwsssshheeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuuuuiiiiiiiiiiuuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeieieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii_ for fucking hours, m8.

[@corvanphoenix]

Lol, I've always loved the A-6 but never knew this about them!

[@fatrick5004]

The more I see of Tice, the less I like him. In fact…I cannot stand the guy. I’m even going off Farage and earlier this year I delivered 500 leaflets for Reform.