Hobby Master HA5011 | EA-6B Prowler " Eve of Destruction " 163527, VAQ-141 "Shadowhawks", Operation Desert Storm, 1991"

General Background:

Based on the A-6 Intruder the Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler primary mission is to support strike aircraft and ground forces by interrupting enemy electronics and gathering tactical intelligence. The aircraft carries 4-crew and is in service with the USN and USMC. The first USN EA-6B was retired on June 10, 2011 and the last carrier deployment by an EA-6B took place on November 14, 2014. The USN will replace the EA-6B with the Boeing EA-18G Growler. The USMC will continue using the EA-6B until 2019.

The Aircraft:

In early 1991 VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks” deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Desert Storm. VAQ-141 was the first Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) aircraft to deliver ordnance by firing AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) on the first night. EA-6B Prowler 163527 “Eve of Destruction” was the aircraft assigned to the commanding officer of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 141. The air crew were Pilot/CO Cdr Frank “Axel” Folly, ECMO 1 LCdr Rick “Flash” Morgan, ECMO 2 Lt. Steve “Psycho” Schwing, ECMO 3 Lt.. John “Gordo” Gordon.

Specifications for the Northrop Grumman Corp. EA-6B Prowler
Role – Electronic Attack
First Flight – May 25, 1968
Operationally Ready – July 1971
Crew: 4 x (Pilot and 3 Electronic Countermeasures Officers)
Dimensions
Length - 59 feet 10 inches (17.7 m)
Height - 16 feet 8 inches (4.9 m)
Wingspan - 53 feet (15.9 m)
Weight
Empty - 31,160 lbs (14,134 kg)
Maximum Take Off - 61,500 pounds (27,450 kg)
Performance
Speed Cruise - 418 kts / 481 mph (775 km/h)
Maximum - 566 kts / 651 mph (1,049 km/h)
Rate of Climb - 12,900 ft/min (65.53 m/s)
Service Ceiling - 37,600 ft (11,460 m) Range - 1,000+ nm /1,150+ miles (1,840+ km)
Weapons 4 x AGM-88 HARM 5 x AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Jamming Pods