THE GROWLER’S PROUD PEDIGREE

The EA-6B Prowler first flew in 1968 and first deployed to Vietnam in 1971. The EA-6B was designed to replace the interim and less-capable EA-6A “Electric Intruder” that spanned from the years 1963 through 1993. The EA-6A was a U.S. Marine Corps two-seat Electronic Attack model based on the A-6A Intruder, and the aircraft saw widespread service in Vietnam. The Prowler also replaced the Navy’s large

Douglas EKA-3B Skywarrior, known as the “Whale,” being the premier jamming platform serving aboard carriers. The EA-6B also saw combat operations in Libya terrorist-related targets, Operation Desert Storm, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Around 1995, budget constraints forced the EA-6B and the EF-111A Raven (a U.S. Air Force jamming aircraft based on the F-111 Aardvark airframe) to be pitted against each other in a “pros versus cons” survival duel. The EA-6B won. While the EF-111A had better endurance and faster speed, it lacked the ability to be able to carry the allimportant AGM-88 HARM missiles. The Prowler also brought the synergies of four individuals working together during the mission, versus the two-man crews of the “Spark Vark.”

Over the years, the Prowler was upgraded to the ICAP, ICAP II, and finally ICAP III versions. A standard loadout were two AGM-88 HARM missiles and a trio of AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods, although other mixes could be juggled between fuel tanks, more/less pods, and more/ less HARMs. The Navy phased out their EA-6Bs as the new Growlers emerged from the assembly line, but the Marines, who did not procure any EA-18Gs, clutched on to their EA-6Bs until March, 2019, when they were finally phased out of service. As the EA-6B grew tired, they required groups of avionics techs surrounding the jet in what was called “starting parties” to do their best to troubleshoot the issues as they arose. It was time for the welcomed Growler!