Sexiest plane in the Navy!!!!

willc

willc

New Member
One of the most exciting moments for any aviator is finding out what you will be flying operationally or on the line. For myself, I have been selected to fly the mighty EA-6B Prowler. http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/ea-6b_prowler.htm
This website has some cool pictures and a good fact sheet.

I will be leaving for training at NAS Whidbey Island, Wa in Oct./Nov.
Training there is a year and then I will spend three years operational with a squadron there. I had the choice between the F/A-18F or the EA-6B. I chose the Prowler for many reasons but mainly the location and mission. The last year of training has been awesome but I am looking forward to the next four.
 
Congrats, Shipmate......What's wrong with the F18????? Too Fast for you? :D

Good luck and enjoy whatever carrier you end up with. My time on the Ranger was outstanding. By far the best.....

CV-61 "Top Gun of the Pacific Fleet"
 
Congrats Will. That 1st operational assignment is THE BEST! Enjoy being the FNG and having no responsibilities. It doesn't last, unfortunately.
 
JEP said:
Congrats, Shipmate......What's wrong with the F18????? Too Fast for you? :D
quote]

Thanks.

Yeah, mach two with my hair on fire just didn't sound fun. I prefer subsonic. :sarcasm: Either way, in about three years the prowler will be phased out with the F-18G. So I will be in an 18 soon enough.
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fish314 said:
Congrats Will. That 1st operational assignment is THE BEST! Enjoy being the FNG and having no responsibilities. It doesn't last, unfortunately.
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HHMMM yeah the FNG, I'm looking forward to it. yeah, every instructor that is post 1st tour always says that they would trade seats with me in a heart beat. I believe them, which is why I am so stoaked for the next Four years.
 
meritflyer said:
Nice. What is the aircraft's main responsibility (ie ground support, air-air, ect.)?
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In a nutshell. It's main role is to protect the fleet and other aircraft by jamming hostile radars and communications. Basically drop electronic bombs on the enemy so that the strike package can go in to the target area unseen and not get tagged by any SAM's.
 
meritflyer said:
Nice. What is the aircraft's main responsibility (ie ground support, air-air, ect.)?
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Sometimes when an individual posts a link describing something, it is helpful to read through it.

The EA-6B Prowler is included in every aircraft carrier deployment. The EA-6B's primary mission is to protect fleet surface units and other aircraft by jamming hostile radars and communications. The EA-6B is an integral part of the fleet's first line of defense, and will remain so well into the next century.
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:sarcasm:
 
The Prowler is a piece of CRAP! I fixed the electronics in that jet and might I say the technology is from the '60s. Everything breaks! I was on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and my job was an Aviation Electronics Technician-Intermediate Level. The pnly great thing that I can say is that the electronics inside was easy to fix because it was made in the 'Ole Days.
 
willc said:
JEP said:
Congrats, Shipmate......What's wrong with the F18????? Too Fast for you? :D
quote]

Thanks.

Yeah, mach two with my hair on fire just didn't sound fun. I prefer subsonic. :sarcasm: Either way, in about three years the prowler will be phased out with the F-18G. So I will be in an 18 soon enough.
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Try mach 1.8 LOL...:)
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Congrats! That's exciting as hell! :)

The guy I'm flying with is a former Marine A-6 pilot!
 
willc said:
One of the most exciting moments for any aviator is finding out what you will be flying operationally or on the line. For myself, I have been selected to fly the mighty EA-6B Prowler. http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/ea-6b_prowler.htm
This website has some cool pictures and a good fact sheet.

I will be leaving for training at NAS Whidbey Island, Wa in Oct./Nov.
Training there is a year and then I will spend three years operational with a squadron there. I had the choice between the F/A-18F or the EA-6B. I chose the Prowler for many reasons but mainly the location and mission. The last year of training has been awesome but I am looking forward to the next four.
Click to expand...

You double-anchor? Am assuming from the P-Cola location and the T-1/T-39 flight time.

They booted all the USAF pilots from the EA-6 gig, just have our EWOs riding along with them in the AEF squadrons.

Whidbey is nice.
 
I know a Marine EA-6 pilot stationed up in Whidbey. Omar the shiek is his name :), tell him hi and give him hell for me. Have fun and conrats on the Prowler.
 
MikeD said:
You double-anchor? Am assuming from the P-Cola location and the T-1/T-39 flight time.

They booted all the USAF pilots from the EA-6 gig, just have our EWOs riding along with them in the AEF squadrons.

Whidbey is nice.
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Your assumption is correct, i'm an NFO.

FYI, we just had the commodore of the Prowler squadrons up at Whidbey come to our squadron and he said that the Navy is getting away from supporting the Air Force with Electronic Warfare. By 2012 when the
EA-18G has fully replaced the EA-6B there will be no more expeditionary squadrons. As of now only 4 Air Force WSO's go to the Prowler a year.
 
flyingmaniac said:
The Prowler is a piece of CRAP! I fixed the electronics in that jet and might I say the technology is from the '60s. Everything breaks! I was on USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), and my job was an Aviation Electronics Technician-Intermediate Level. The pnly great thing that I can say is that the electronics inside was easy to fix because it was made in the 'Ole Days.
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Alright, why do you have to rain on my parade? :mad: I am quite aware of the age and how crappy the plane is. But someone's got to do the job!

In a couple years when the EA-18G Growler comes online, I will be in the newest and the best. I think I can pay my dues for a couple years in a chance to have the most important mission in military aviation and to fly the newest toy in the Navy.
 
O.k. I can understand that. All I can say is half of the time your electronics will be working and the other half probably not.
 
Congrats willc! Whidbey is beautiful (cold, but beautiful). Try to get up to Alaska if you can...you won't regret it.
 
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