EA-6B Prowler sunset is scheduled for 2019

US Marine Corps EA-6B Prowlers are at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, to participate in the type’s last Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course. VMAQ-2 ‘Death Jesters’ deployed five aircraft from their home at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, for the exercise, and although they were not putting any crews through the syllabus, the unit was supporting the other participants.

Three Marine tactical electronic warfare squadrons currently operate 18 operational EA-6Bs. Each of the squadrons operates six ICAP (Improved Capability) III versions of the Prowler.

The Prowler sunset is scheduled for 2019, and a second squadron will stand down at the end of FY 2017 when VMAQ-4 is deactivated. The remaining two squadrons will stand down in FY 2018 and with the final phase-out occurring at the end of FY 2019.

A full feature on the EA-6B in Arizona, plus a review of VMAQ-2 will appear in the December issue of Combat Aircraft.

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