Name: Marine Corps Patch EA-6B PROWLER Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 USMC
SKU: 1513
Availability: InStock

Description

Marine Corps Patch EA-6B PROWLER Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 USMC

SurvivorsEdge

United States Marine Corps

Patch

Officially USMC Licensed

PROWLER

EA-6B

Condition: New

Size: 3 1/4″

Features: Stitch or iron-on

The Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat, mid-wing electronic-warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe. The EA-6A was the initial electronic warfare version of the A-6 used by the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy.

When I was with WES-47, stationed at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington from 83-87, it was a treat seeing these big birds.

The EA-6A “Electric Intruder” was developed for the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1960s to replace its EF-10B Skyknights. The EA-6A was a direct conversion of the standard A-6 Intruder airframe, with two seats, equipped with electronic warfare (EW) equipment. The EA-6A was used by three Marine Corps squadrons during the Vietnam War. A total of 27 EA-6As were produced, 15 of which were newly manufactured. Most of these EA-6As were retired from service in the 1970s with the last few being used by the Navy with two electronic attack “aggressor” squadrons, with all examples finally retired in the 1990s. The EA-6A was essentially an interim warplane until the more-advanced EA-6B could be designed and built.

Though once considered being replaced by Common Support Aircraft, that plan failed to materialize. In 2009, the Navy EA-6B Prowler community began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler, a new electronic warfare derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. All but one of the active duty Navy EA-6B squadrons were based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. VAQ-136 was stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, as part of Carrier Air Wing 5, the forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) air wing that embarks aboard the Japan-based George Washington. VAQ-209, the Navy Reserve’s sole EA-6B squadron, was stationed at Naval Air Facility Washington, Maryland. All Marine Corps EA-6B squadrons were located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

In 2013, the USN planned to fly the EA-6B until 2015, while the USMC expect to phase out the Prowler in 2019. The last Navy deployment was on George H.W. Bush in November 2014, with VAQ-134. The last Navy operational flight took place on 27 May 2015. Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CVWP), hosted a retirement commemoration for the EA-6B from 25 to 27 June 2015 at NAS Whidbey Island.

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“Today, we understand that peace through strength is more than a slogan. In a world such as ours, it’s a moral necessity, and in the tough job of preserving the peace and defending our nation’s independence and freedom, the U.S. Marines have always been there, ready to do their duty.”

President Ronald Reagan

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