EA-6B Prowler | Behind the Wings on PBS
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- EA-6B Prowler | Behind the Wings on PBS
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Explore the CAG bird inside Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and take a trip to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to visit the home of electronic attack for the entire DoD. You’ll find yourself on the runway with EA-18s screaming by, face to face with active pilots leading the Navy’s mission and take a tour of a Navy base built to protect the USA’s Western coast during World War II.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum:
wingsmuseum.org
Rocky Mountain PBS:
www.rmpbs.org/home
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island:
www.cnic.navy....
First aired May, 2019.
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Host, Curator:
Matthew Burchette
Creator, Producer:
Ben Theune
Camera, Editor:
Scott Hennelly
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©2019 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. All rights reserved.
I read that the Whidbey neighbors are oh so unhappy with the noise. Many years ago, this Cold-War Veteran read a story about an old German woman. She complained to her Doctor that the US Army tanks going by her house at night ruined her sleep. The Doctor said that he'd rather hear the American tanks than a Drunk Russian on a bicycle.
Museum's got an F14, an EA6B, and Kenny Loggins! The trifecta!
Audfile
The trifeta, undoubtedly👍. R.i.p. Kenny Loggins.
hahaha the one who died was kenny rogers loggins still lives as far as I know F14, EA6B, S3Viking and kenny loggins the fantástic four
@@kinficher Right on point. I watched a couple of videos on axs tv about Mr. Rogers. Guy to guy, I liked how he came across, spoke of himself, his life, his then current marriage and his two twins and his friendship with Dolly. I saved videos to my pc's hard drive and I still took the hook(on the wrong name), not paying attention to detail. Shoot, I was participating in the reports of Mr Loggins early demise. Sheesh, lol. Of another FF4, I wish I still had, at least, the first 100 issues of that Marvel comic book.
Kenny who?
@@vinyltapelover wtf are you talking about
I spent a large portion of my youth growing up on Whidbey. My Dad was an ECMO during his Navy Career. He finished his flying portion of it as CO of VAQ-139 Cougars. I've cataloged his logbooks in excel so I could look at different aircraft he flew and total hours by BuNo through different filters. He has over 200 hrs in BuNo 163886. He flew this aircraft while with VAQ-135 in '96-'97 and with VAQ-139 in '02-'03. Logbook showed combat hours flown as well during the Iraq Invasion off of the Stennis. Very cool it's just north of me here in Colorado Springs.
They were great planes. I worked on their avionics, the parts for the jammers. Sadly I wasnt attached to the squadrons, so most of my view of the plane was small metal boxes.
that was beautiful. i served myself in two squadrons but will be silent in which
My grandpa served in vaq-133 wizards for 20 years. For a while he worked on ea6bs but ended his career training other new recruits on aviation electronics
what was his callsign?
@@pontiacGXPfan I'll have to see if my dad knows. Sadly he passed away a few years ago before I could get to know him well at all since I lived on the other side of the country.
At my home in West Virginia, we used to have EA-6Bs go booming down the valley at least once a week, practicing low-level terrain following. Now we get EA-18s rippin' through.
No complaints from anyone here. We call it the sound of freedom.........................................
Same here in Randolph County
Prior to the mid 90's the A6E's out of NAS Oceana (Virginia Beach VA) flew low level training flights over W VA. After the A6's were retired the Navy close NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville FL and moved the F/A 18's to Oceana. Now the FA 18's fly the same routes over W VA.
@@karlt8233 I had lived off base when stationed at Damneck. Remember Oceana very well. They had a great PX.
@@RayBecker I was stationed at Oceana 91-95, A6's, and lived in base housing but it was not actually on base. Forget the housing complex name. We used to go to the beach at Damneck because it was more kid friendly than down town Virginia Beach beaches. My son was in 2nd-5th grade when I was there. He also went in the Navy and was stationed at Oceana but his squadron was F-18's. We also shared cruises on the USS Eisenhower just 15 yrs apart.
@@karlt8233 Thanks for your Service in my Navy. Damneck was really a nice facility. I had attended OS "A" school there as well as the NTDS school. Loved it there. Off base, we lived near the Lynnhaven Mall. Just awesome experience. Wonder if Michael's is still in VA Beach. I was one of a very few who woofed down their Texas Burger and my shipmates drank free pitchers of beer the rest of the night. I also DJ'd on the base. Les Burke. He would be at the Enlisted club. He found out that I'd done that before shipping over and I moonlighted doing that. Great times.
I worked on the EA-6B Prowler when I served in the Navy. I was in VAQ 130 and VAQ 129. Thank you for the this video it brought back memories.
I was in VAQ-129 and VAQ-133. He could of at least opened up the birdcage.
@@cmodzins VAQ-130 1977-1981. I worked A.I.M.D Airframes 510 Div. at Whidbey, U.S.S. Independence and The F.I.D. 78-81.Skipper Gus Gudmunson got us on the 4 day work week, Mon. Tue. Thurs. Fri. with Wed. Sat. & Sun. handled by the duty section.
@@zzzapper130 I took snap shot of Indy we were on Ranger, still have the pic.
I believe it was our 80-81 cruise you were leaving WestPac we were coming.
Sister ships!
I worked for EA-6B Block 9 Software Development (Jammer Management & Assignment) about 1year in 1998 and worked for F-14D Software Development 1986-2000 (14 years) at NAWC Point Mugu, CA. Both are best memory of my career.
Nicely done. Earlier versions were too brief, short on detail. This is just about right.
Look a, spy!
You really don't understand how loud the F18 is when it's taking off until you stand by it. The ground rumbles, it's absolutely gnarly! Seeing one at night just brings it home.
This is great. Not just the history and info on the prowler but the history of NAS Whidbey is actually really interesting.
My pops used to be the CO of VAQ-139. I actually just moved back to Whidbey little over a year ago. Gotta say the prowler is still one of the coolest jets the navy has ever flown. See the Growlers everyday though. Work right next to the approach path for the runway and dang can it get loud.
My dad was 138 and 141
Everyone is calling Matt’s presentation “immature” but that’s the best part. Keep up the good work guys. This is the most entertaining channel on UA-cam for aviation because of the production style and Matt’s upbeat, casual, and down to earth attitude.
Thanks, Liam. We are going for a production that everybody will want to watch. It's not just for super nerds, geeks, or rivet counters. It's for everybody! MB
I visited wings over the Rockies just a few days ago. I saw this aircraft up close and it was way bigger than I thought it was
_Meanwhile on enemy territory_
-Commander, we got some intruders heading to our position!
-No worries, our SAMs will do the job
-No literally! We got "Intruders" heading our way!
-Ah sh[Static]
You typed, in Eskimo also?
Prowler AT from 1989 - 2008. VAQ-129, - 136, and 137. Loved every minute of my time.
My dad (ATC "Doc" Henderson) was a plank owner (original member of the squadron at commissioning) of VAQ-132 "Scorpions" way back when they flew the EA-3D Skywarriors and through the transition to the EA-6Bs. This video brought back a lot of fond memories of my dad. Thanks for doing it!
That's awesome to hear. Thanks for letting us know, and thanks for watching! MB
Tremendous segment! The Growler crew was so cool and accommodating. God bless our armed forces 🇺🇸
hoopsheavenpa brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect my kids. God bless them indeed. Happy 4th.
Working there would be a dream job for me. Heck, I'd volunteer just to be in the presence of all that history & tech. LOVE this channel..
We ALWAYS need volunteers, Chris! MB
Shoutout to anyone auditing this video from a VMAQ squadron!
I made 2 deployments with VAQ-135. I started my tour with VAQ-135 in 1982 and retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer (AEC) in 1987. I spent a total of 12 years at NAS Whidbey Island.
I served with VA-128, VA-52, VAQ-135 and VAQ129.
I saw my first EA-6B Prowler at the El Toro Marine base Air Show in Orange County CA.
That plane is big.
And VERY loud
Love these videos! Always awesome to see you talking to active pilots of these aircraft that know their stuff!
cool video i was in in VAQ-138 and VAQ-129 in the late 70s and early 80s 7yrs with the EA6B
Would like to find my Div, Officer from CV-62 V-3 div 85 86. said he flew them, Great guy ! Got shit XO that had it out for him and a E-7 . Cant remember his name tho
Just found an old flight helmet from vaq -138 , it made it all the way to the UK.
I'm watching from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Denver is considered very similar to our Canadian mountain city and I've always heard of people from my city visiting Denver and saying they enjoy it very much! I am putting Wings Over the Rockies on my travel bucket list when I come down and telling everyone about it when it comes up in conversation. You make amazing videos and I am sure the actual museum is even better!
Thanks! Look us up when you come down, and we will give you the full tour. MB
Worked on the EA-6A on Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base, NC. Along with the RF-4B Phantom Recon. bird. Loved them both. This was back in 1970 ~ 1975 when I got out medically. Ooh-Rah Work Shop 131. Seat Mechs.
I started my Navy career with VAQ-142...loved Prowlers. They said the only thing louder than a Prowler is the space shuttle.
I was in the last Prowler class for AT’s at NAS Whidbey Island. Beautiful place.
Matt, again you knocked this out of the park. WOW, history of Prowler to Growler. I hope you realize that USN is very hospitable to you.
Garuda squadron so there’s a Garuda 1 and Garuda 2 right
GO DANCE WITH THE ANGLES
I immediately checked the comments for this 😆👍🏻.
Just installed Aces 7 this morning - looking forward to some classic cheesy dialogue!
@@TexasGreed I've finished it 4 times now on all difficulties...and there's still much more left to squeeze from it ;)
For multiplayer, I was hoping for more variety (like objective defense or base/fleet attack). Free for all and team deathmatch were fun (lots of F22s and QAAMs though) but didn't hold my attention.
Fingers crossed for the DLC bringing more to the table.
Which one? 90 degrees or something else?
FBI SWAT I’d rather get haunted by the reaper
I did the last deployment with that specific aircraft. So cool that my favorite museum in my hometown got it.
Love military aircraft and this channel. Thank you for your efforts!
I was a senior SQA engineer for several years at Grumman back during the AIP (avionics improvement program) and HARM (high speed anti radiation missile) upgrades. What a privilege it was to work on such a unique plane and with so many people of such high caliber . . . engineers of all sorts (hardware, software, aeronautical, testing), pilots, military officers, etc. One of the highlights of my career.
I'm just armchair speculating now, but i'd guess plans are well underway somewhere to work towards filling the Navy's EW needs with an EW variant of some future UAV, just like the EA-6B was a variant of the A6. It's what i'd do if I was in advanced planning (which i'm not - im retired).
Having worked on both the Tomcat and Prowler they are both maintenance man hour blackholes.
Please tell me more. I've always been fascinated by "ground hours per air hour". What sort of work did you have to do? What made it difficult? I thought the Prowler would have good engine access and be light on maintenance due to subsonic operation. The F14 doesn't surprise me it was maintenance intensive, but what gave you grief? I'm honestly keen to understand.
The A-6E was fun too. Post-Vietnam, worn out and few spares. We became cannibals.
@@Lozzie74 Carrier operations are extremely hard on equipment (and crew). High impact cat shots, traps, salt corrosion, and 24 hour cyclic ops really beat up on sensitive state-of-the-art equipment. Maintenance crews were remarkably talented at maintaining these complex airplanes, regardless of pitching decks, blazing heat, or icy cold.
That wing fold mechanism looks insanely complex by itself! I
@@TheDustysix Man you guys worked all the time, prowler mech here and I respected the A-6 squads!
1:23 BUNO 163045 used to be one of my squadron's jets. VAQ-140 2003-2007 :D
VAQ-140 The Patriots, right?
People who dislike these videos boggle my mind. 🤦🏽♂️
Agreed
What POS doesn't like this stuff?
@@seanoleary1979 The enemy..lol
@@seanoleary1979 WELL SAID
Worked on the flight deck with ea-6b prowlers from our airwing cag-13 , Those J-52 turbojets would rattle the teeth out of your head at full power on a cat shot , Never heard or been around any aircraft louder just unreal and you could almost see the air shock waves from it , I was in a F-18 squadron they were loud but not like the old prowlers !
So 6mins on the Prowler is all we get. We can get all we want on the Growler. Not really what the title suggests. Shame:(
There is a full version. 27 minutes or so
Man I grew up with PBS. These birds got some horsepower.
We notice here that still no one wants to give out much info on the old Q-99 which is one of the countermeasure systems that I worked on nearly fifty years ago. Back then; we were proposing the AN/ALQ-99 for the first version of the B1-A Radio Frequency Surveillance/Electronic Countermeasures Subsystem suite. The system is not without its problems; but its service life is matched by few.
Sorcery is not dead, it's just been given a new bag of tricks. These electronic warfare officers are still sorcerers and that's perfectly fine by me.
This is the best channel on UA-cam for planes I love Matt's upbeat attitude
Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. MB
You guys should paint the nose of the Prowler in its pre-F18 look - with the "Radioactive" symbol. This was used by the LSO to differentiate between the A6 and the EA6 during landing evolutions.
This is how it looked when it came off the carrier. We didn't even clean off the grime! MB
I love this video! These videos are awesome and fun to listen to while working on my simulator :)
That's awesome! MB
My grandfather was an engineer working on their radar countermeasures, amazing plane
I was stationed at NAS Whidbey. I worked at PSD and Aux security force from 98 to Y2K. Those prowlers are LOUD.
Remember when I was a little kid my grandma used to live on the top of a hill was flat farmlands all around the base. we lived about 20 miles away from Whidbey Island naval Base, and these things would fly at damn near window level and do circles around the hill. I remember one time I went out waving and cheering (because jets) and one of the jets did a barrel roll for me. Pretty sweet.
this was one of my favorite planes growing up.
Gr8 video with just the right length/detail. Loved this plane. Thx...
DUDE! I'm glad they have a show on PBS now! I've been a fan for a minute
Your channel is quickly becoming one of my favorites on UA-cam! Great stuff! Keep up the great videos, and I'll keep watching. I hope I'll be able to visit your museum sometime!
This guy is the best host ever! Equal parts passion, knowledge and personality
I think I could drift around this hanger all day.
fantastic plane that must be fun to fly .really advanced technology. THANKS FOR THE VIDEOS ENJOYED THEME .FROM YOUR VIEWER ROBERT G. I ENJOY THE REVIEWS, PLANE, AND THE PILOTS EXPLAINING THIER EXPERIENCEE FLYING THE PLANES AND HOW HAPPY THEY ARE .
I was at WOTR in '99 for the Star Wars convention. Between the convention and the planes I was on overload! It was my first time seeing an F-101 and F-105 in person. I didn't realize the B-1 was an A model when I was there. (One of the two with the crew capsule no less!) None of the Navy planes were there so I'll have to get back here! (Hopefully with better weather!)
Should have EA-18 in title. Live in Washington state and as a civilian pilot I flew over NAS Whidbey all the time it was cool to get to see what's down there.
Grew up there, Later Served there. My first Skipper William Hawk flew the first EA-6B to Whidbey Island..
I was with the Navy in 1971 when the EA-6B first landed on the Carrier I was on with my Squadron. The Aircraft was going through final testing & evaluations before being sent to the Fleet Carriers around the World.
Garuda's is also the name for the elite Indian Air Force Commandos, who's specific role is air base and aircraft assets defence on ground.
We had these when I was on Bagram and one time a prowler came over the base and jammed everything it was crazy and that thing is loud
Damnit. This channel is just too good.
Thank you, Sir! MB
I was a Garuda from 2005-2009. Started out as a Plane Captain and ended up in the AE shop. A lot of good times and bad lol.
First episode I watched was of the BUFF and I really love this content. Agree with others that this length works better, hopefully your analytics match these opinions.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks! MB
I was in VMAQ-3. This is a great video. Thanks for making this Wings! Not many people know about the EA-6B and its mission.
Glad you liked it. :) MB
One of my favorite airplanes is the A6/E6 Intruder/Prowler. A precision strike weapons system before GPS or laser guided munitions. The Prowler was a hammer too. I wonder really how good it worked
Actually there are only 16 VAQ Squadrons depicted on the Home of Electronic Attack hanger. The last one is the boomerang crest of 6SQN RAAF.
Very well done. Having served on the U.S.S. Independence, I can say this was very informative. Hopefully you can cover the current vs old days of photo-reconn. Old days being the RA5C Vigilante.
My first cruise 78-79 VAQ-137 USS RANGER I was blown away watching the vigilante launching, man the smoke!!
The ejection sequence of the Prowler is interesting. Due to the spacing between each seat, it takes quite some time for all 4 aviators to get out of the jet.
Hmmm. That would be cool to watch. MB
@@Wings_MuseumThis is interesting for sure. ua-cam.com/video/UeZKyGDo5Io/v-deo.html
Ejection sequence only takes 1.2 seconds to fire all four seats out when utilizing the "Command Eject" sequence. Ejection order ie Ecmo 2 @ 0 sec, Ecmo 3 @ +.4 sec, Ecmo 1 @ +.8 sec, and Pilot @ 1.2 sec. Command eject sequence is automatically initiated if either of the front seaters pull the ejection handles.
@@spannerturnerMWO Yes, the Pilot's ejection sequence begins 1.2 seconds after the other seats have started their sequence. That 1.2 seconds is far too long and was responsible for 3 pilots deaths and for 8 ECMO deaths due to the duration of all four seats putting the seat out of its envelope. These deaths caused
the EA-6B ejection system to make the top-ten list of required change priorities of the Operational Advisory Group (OAG) of EA-6B community, a committee made up of EA-6B squadron commanding officers and executive officers.
Selecting "Command Ejection" allows either the Pilot or ECMO1 to initiate a command ejection, however a command ejection selection handle is provided on the console between the pilot and ECMO 1 so that when "Norm" is selected, only the Pilot can initiate a Command Ejection, if that switch is in the "ECMO" position, both the Pilot and ECMO 1 can initiate a Command Ejection. ECMO-2 and ECMO-3 can only initiate their own ejection sequences. The plan was to upgrade the Prowler to the SJU-17A NACES and an electronic multi mode sequencer to get the total ejection time of all 4 occupants down under 1.2 seconds as 2 of the seats would be fired at the same time. The upgrade was cancelled though.
I watched that sequence happen from my perch in PriFly, off the USS Enterprise, in the Indian Ocean. The EA-6B lost an engine during the cat stroke, and could not gain enough airspeed to maintain flight. It pancaked in, just forward of the ship. ECMO's 4 and 3 both ejected successfully, and settled into the water just after their parachutes opened. ECMO 1's seat fired just as the plane hit the water, and turned into a spinning rocket pinwheel. He was never recovered. The pilot's seat never did fire, but he was successfully pulled out of the water by the rescue helicopter. His helmet was smashed and his jaw was broken, where, presumably, he had hit the canopy bow on impact.
Love your shows!
These days, it's "Every Sailor is a firefighter." Doesn't matter where they serve. All of them learn basic firefighting skills in Boot Camp at Great Lakes. Those in various specialties, including carrier deck hands, learn additional firefighting techniques, aircraft personnel rescue, etc.
And that damn barricade damn I hated that call.."rig the barricade"
I just realized after looking at an old photo album that I went here in 2005 as a teenager. Man I would love to go back but I live across the country.
Those dudes in the background pushing GSE around.... I know the struggle.
Wasn't that the portable base BBQ pit used for squadron parties and such?
Where I live in Singapore, pretty close to the air base of our F-15SG (E) Strike Eagle squadrons; hearing the fighter bombers roar over the sky is a near-daily occurrence up to some point I don't even register their presence despite their audible noise.
I live in Arizona and the area I'm in, crosses under the fighters that fly/train out of, Luke Airforce Base in Arizona. Once a week I see and hear, F16s and F35s out of Yuma/Tucson Base. I've seen T-38s as well. Few years ago even got to see/hear the AV8B Harrier Jet fly over. Last Harrier that flew over my place was last year. Was so cool.
Love the fact that the deck shot is of the actual bird in the museum.
The prowler is a great looking aircraft
I wish you'd asked the pilot to compare the capabilities of the EA-6B to the Growler. As a former ECMO in the EA-6B I can tell you that the Prowler in many aspects was a more capable platform.
PBY Catalina, a thing of beauty!
Throwing some AC6 in to this, how much you want to bet Garuda leader carried the call-sign 'Talisman"
I'm a retired Grumman engineer and spent some time on the "B-Ships," as we called them. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, and explaining the aircraft in terms normal people can understand (even with the over-enthusiastic BAMs! and hip-talk gestures). But most of all, thank you for narrating a documentary about an airplane and didn't once use the word "basically." Didja ever notice that basically, military fly-guys can't tell you where the men's room is without using "basically" seven or eight times. This basically pisses me off. Great tour of Whidbey as well.
Arrgghhh!!! Slow Roll the ECMO ruined it! He said "basically." Danm crap moan whine.
I really like you, Matt, and love these behind the wings videos, learning so much, but sometimes I just wanna yell: "I'd like to have what he had, but half as strong, thankyouverymuch" ( 07:30 ) lol
I went to this museum when visiting Colorado with my family, it was pretty cool, just kinda wish the had an A-10 in there.
But I mean, the F-14 was cool…and it was pretty damn large
Great video, and great jet, I always loved the prowler. Eagle Dynamics need to make one for DCS World.
Yes, they do!
There’s one mod for dcs but its not a good damage model, it took 8 aim-9 hit to just crash in the water
We actually had this 500 CAG bird at Aviano for Libya.
I lived there as a kid when it was an active U.S.A.F. base. I miss Lowry. Interesting place to live.
Where's you're hearing protection LT! LMAO It's fun to watch this video not 5 miles from NASWI!
I worked for A.I.L Eaton Corp. In 1980's on Longisland New York.
Time to give the ole Tomcat some love want to get up there so bad and see the plane in person
It's cool. The carrier deck display built around it adds to its appeal.
Actually - they could carry 5 "pods". The centerline also could carry a TJS pod.
I like this guy. I want more.
Choice vid ,cheers!Big respect to the pilots n crew
Flight of the intruder....nuff said.
I was in VAQ-136 once upon a time! Blast from the past. By the way, the CAG bird was flown by the squadron commanding officer. Every squadron has a CAG bird. They are also the first plane in the series. (The nose number ended in "0").
This made me nostalgic for my days with VAQ-133 and 129.
Soooo....
'Garuda them, engage!'?
Still a very underrated channel. Love the content.
I was just at NAS Whidbey couple weekends ago for their open house. I live in Clinton on Whidbey. Really enjoy your channel.
MR Islandtime I grew up in Oak Harbor and just moved to Oregon from Greenbank. I went to just about every air show at NAS Whidbey.
*Almost got to work on Prowlers. Was told to go skids instead. I always wonder how much different my experience in neverland would of been if I had.*
Great episode. Thanks for sharing.
I wish I had a dollar for every minute I've spent on that plane keeping all those avionics working. Almost 12 years in EA-6B squadrons. Desert Storm and Yugoslavia, too. Any other Scorps out there?
Grab the cradle. I'll get the rails. #HumpinPods
Hah! The EA-18 ATs know that one, too!
#ProwlersForever
Nice! Where were you in Yugoslavia? ;)
@@gaijinatemyhusky4384 floating in the Adriatic on an aircraft carrier.
Cool bird, I've worked on three versions of this bird. VAQ-129 EX-CAP, VAQ-137 ICAP & VAQ-309 ICAP II. Now if this video was only about the EA-6B instead electronic warfare birds. You forgot to include the EA-6A, you know flight of the intruder Iron Hand, Lol. Thanks for sharing anyways. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya
I reported to duty with VAQ-132 right after they discontinued the Prowlers and introduced the Growlers.
These were built at Grumman's Calverton facility on eastern Long Island NY....
The prowler was cool but I like the A6E ..my father was a BN in the Marine corps multiple tours in Vietnam.. awesome plane..