The last of the Navy Prowlers

It is done. The Venerable Grumman EA-6B Prowler is gone from Naval Service after a long and distinguished career.
I was lucky to see the first one's aboard ship when VAQ-132 became part of Carrier Air Wing Seven aboard The Good Ship Independence in the Spring of 1974 when we began work ups for the upcoming deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.......................
I have a life long friend as a result of that now days. My good buddy, Darryl Hinkle was in 132 back then and we would eventually make four deployments together over our careers.

I guess that I may just be getting old..............................................sucks.........it does.
My old Shipmate, Rebecca (Burt) Hagemann, LCDR USN Retired posted on Facebook with a link to a KING5 TV story about the last Prowlers at NAS Whidbey Island........She was just AMS2 Becky Burt in 89-90 when I was the VA-128 Airframes Mid Shift LPO.............................
I retired from active service in a Prowler Squadron, VAQ-140, The Patriots..............21 years ago.

 

The Best Looking Prowler CAG Jet Ever!

Garudas CAG Jet

Pictures and Video at the Link.
http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-navys-ea-6b-prowler-completes-its-final-carrier-cru-1659101419