EA-6B Prowler retires from service
The US Navy's EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft has retired from service as the force transitions to the EA-18G Growler fleet, with its retirement commemorated by a three-day event on 25-27 June.
The event was hosted by Electronic Attack Wing, US Pacific Fleet, and included a Prowler on display at the history hall in the fleet's Havilland Hangar. A farewell ceremony was conducted and concluded with the last EA-6B Prowler taking off from the Ault Field of the Whidbey Island naval air station.
Capt (retd.) Fred Wilmot, US Navy, said: 'This weekend, the Prowler Sunset Celebration, has been fantastic. We've been able to see people we haven't seen in 35, 40 years or so including some of the original people from Grumman who designed the system. It's really a fitting end to the Prowler era.'
'The fact that the Prowler stuck around for 45 years is testimony to how well it was designed and built, and the thousands of men and women who have maintained and operated it. My hat is off to them. You don't find any more professionalism than in those personnel.'
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