The Navy’s EA-6B Prowler aircraft was officially retired Tuesday with a flyover in Monroe County. It will now be an historical static display at the Crane Base. The plane participated in every military conflict involving US and Coalition forces since 1971.
EA-6B Deputy Program Manager, Major Mark Amspacher said the aircraft has a long and distinguished history as the Naval Services’ primary Electronic Warfare platform. He said the airplane never received the attention or appreciation at air shows that it deserved. He said the plane did become a critical part of defenses and it’s mission, over time, was recognized. Amspacher said that after Operation Allied Force, the Prowler was demanded by component commanders in almost every theatre and over the past 10 years it’s impossible to know how many lives the EA-6B saved during operations in Iraq and Afganistan. NSWC Crane employees have provided over 40 years of technical support to the Prowler’s ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS).
The plane is being replaced by the EA-18G Growler which will take over the electronic warfare mission of the Prowler for the Navy.
NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Capt. Jeffrey Elder noted that the arrival of the Prowler and its upcoming historic display are important to Crane’s workforce– past, present and future marking 40 years of the base’s heritage.
