EA-6B “Prowler” Sundown

Five years ago, on Friday March 8th, 2019 the final Grumman EA-6B “Prowler” was sun downed by the US Marine Corps at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point by VMAQ-2 “Death Jesters”. This wasn’t just the last mission of that unit, but of the Marine Corps mission of electronic attack as a whole that spanned 42 years, and close to 50 years with the Navy. In that 50 years, the Prowler served in any conflict or mission the US was involved in, either on the Navy side or the Marine side. The Navy sundown their Prowlers in July of 2015, replacing them with the Boeing EA-18G “Growler”. Five years on from the sundown, let’s relive that day, and the meaning that aircraft had to not just one, but two branches of the US Armed Forces.

Thursday March 7th, 2019 I flew into Raleigh, North Carolina and met up with two friends. This trip was planned months in advance, and it was going to be the biggest, and most intricate one of my life thus far. The trip we had planned was going to involve us flying to North Carolina, and on the evening of the 8th fly across the country to San Diego, California where we then were to drive to Yuma, Airzona to attend the Airshow there. We would then Drive back to San Diego that evening to catch another flight for a short hop up to Las Vegas Nevada, where would spend two days at Red Flag at Nellis AFB and two days at the Star Wars Canyon in Death Valley California, spending the night in the beautiful town of Lone Pine, California. But for now, we’re focusing on the first leg of this trip, which was in Havelock, North Carolina on base at Marine Corps. Air Station Cherry Point, where on the 8th of March 2019 history would be made. We drove from Jacksonville, NC from our hotel and got to the gate, where we were presented a pass and directions to the squadron. We drove past  two different static aircraft, the CH-46, and the aircraft we were coming to see; the Prowler. Once arriving at the squadron, we discovered we were some of the first ones there, and waited before it was time to start. We walked through the squadron, and this was one of the most historic squadrons I’ve ever walked through at this point. You could feel the history oozing out of the walls. The squadron we were in, and that had the honor of flying the last Prowler mission was Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Two, or VMAQ-2 known as the “Death Jesters'', formally the Playboys, but due to copyright with one Hue Hefner, it became the Death Jesters. “Q-2” was the last deployed unit of Power to Qatar in 2018, marking the end of not only Marine electronic attack, but the legacy that spans back to the original A-6 intruder, a legendary attack aircraft in the Vietnam War. The Prowler was a derivative of the A-6, which featured an extra row of seats in the back for the ECMO’s and a golden canopy to protect against electromagnetic radiation. It also had what was described at the “Football” on top of the tail.  We saw this tail up-close as one had been painted and put in the Officers Club a few days after the sundown.  We had a quick morning brief in the ready room where the pilots and ECMOs would get theirs. Walking into the hanger, it was empty. There were only two left in the Marines, and they were sitting outside. Of course, we had to stop at the swag table because it was our last time ever we would be able to pick up Prowler patches and memorabilia. Once we then spent half of the money we had for swag, we then went out to the bleachers to get set up.

Once we walked out to the stands, we saw the last two Prowlers sitting peacefully under an overcast sky before their big day. Only a handful of other people, mainly other photographers were out there snapping a few pics. Marine and local Police were out there to make sure we didn’t cross any lines, which they were nice about letting us know when we were getting close to one.  I took a second to take it all in, these were the last two Prowlers. We then took our spots on the bleachers to wait, going over photos and trying to think of the different angles we wanted. A little over an hour later, the crew chiefs and others started walking out for a fod walk, and then started prepping the jets. It then started to get busy. A lot of former Prowler pilots, and ECMO’s walked out and took their seats, and then the crew of the jets walked out. Once the crew were strapped in, the last prowlers then started up and howled into life. I’ve only ever heard one EA-6B take off, and it was loud, and for a non-afterburning engine, it was one of the loudest I've ever heard… Which was then verified again once the two took off and rumbled the ground. Once airborne they flew out of sight and the Marine band began playing. The platoons were inspected, and everyone was ready. The commanding officer for the unit, as well as the MAW made their speeches congratulating the unit on an illustrious career, as well as all of the Navy and Marine pilots and ECMO’s. I scanned the crowd and looked at the diversity of age. There were Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan veterans, as well as current military members who have all flown these exact same jets over a 40 year span.  Once that speech was made, we then saw a formation of five jets from the left, a quick photo and zoom showed it was it both Prowlers, accompanied by an AV-8B from VMA-541 “Tigers”, F/A-18D from VMFA-533 “Hawks'' and an F-35B from VMFAT-501 “Warlords”. The formation flew over as the speeches ended to a round of applause, and at that moment the sun popped out for the first time that day. After the fly past, it was then time to cover the colors. The colors in the unit are the US Flag, and the Marine Corps banner with the unit decorations and citations. The squadron commander and his assistant walked out where the honor guard were with the colors, and began covering them. The Marine Corps colors were covered first, followed the US Flag. Once covered the unit was deactivated. Without notice, the two Prowlers came screaming in formation over the crowd, and everyone gave a round of applause and cheered. The platoons were dismissed and the Marine Corps Hymn began to play. We were then treated to the jets coming up initial for the runway and doing a carrier break right over the crowd, hearing the whine and whistle of the prowler one last time and pulling some vapor over the wings.

Once they landed, the jets taxied in with CY-02 being first, followed by CY-04. Where we were on the bleachers, it gave us a perfect head-on shot of them taxing in, and boy… did my ears ring after that. I still remember how loud and high pitched those jets were. Once they were parked and shut down, the cheers from the crowd started, and the crews climbed out. Everyone was right on the line, ready to run out there and stand and be with the jets one last time. We then packed up our stuff and got to the very end t try and get a clean shot of the jet while the crew chiefs were plugging up the jets. We then got the OK, and everyone rushed towards the jets. I walked around them as I’ve only been close with one and took it in. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay long as we had planes to catch our next destination. We all were about to split up for the next leg of our trip. As for the EA-6Bs, CY-02 was flown to the Smithsonian where it was put on display at Dulles In Washington D.C. , and CY-04 was flown to the Frontiers of Flight museum in Ft. Worth, Texas. It was one of those days where we saw history happen. One day I’ll see these planes again, and reminisce on the fact I was there for the last time. I never did get a photo of a Navy Prowler in the sky, so it was clossure to see them. VMAQ-2’s motto was “Can do Easy” - anything they were tasked with, they can do, no problem. Once those jets shut down the mission was done... Done Easy.

VMFAT-101 “Sharpshooter” Sundown

Legacy. What does that word mean to you? For me, it means a line of traditions, dedication and above all preserving the past and giving the past knowledge to future and present generations to interpret and make it their own. There are many establishments that embody the term “Legacy” but none more so than the United States Marine Corps, specifically the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101, or more more commonly known as VMFAT-101, or simply, the SharpSHooters. The Mission of VMFAT-101 was simple; make United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps F/A-18 “Hornet” pilots. To do this, they embodied a legacy that lasted 54 to train some of the finest pilots that have ever flown. The SharpShooter were deactivated on September 29th, 2023 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, California. I received an invitation to be apart of the deactivation, and photograph and document this historic sundown of the USMC’s final F/A-18 training unit...

It all started in the early morning hours for me, having to be up at 3:30AM Mountain time to catch a a 5:45AM flight to Seattle. Once on the flight up to Seattle, I reviewed my emails, and saw that at 9:30AM local time there would be a fly-the-barn where 18 F/A-18s would take off at once, and then fly over Miraimar. Unfortunately, I was going to miss this. Upon landing in Seattle, there was a short wait before hoping on the next flight down to San Diego. I was looking forward to seeing the Golden Coast, but it was cloudy all the way down. After landing in San Diego I hopped into the rental and made my way up Miramar. Once I made the turn off the freeway, I started seeing jets flying around, and that’s when I knew I was close to the former home of Top Gun and the historic base known to many as “Fighter Town USA”. Driving up to the gate was like any other military base with a large event, and I went to the visitor center where I met up with my escort over to the Squadron. Once parked we went over to the historic hanger where VMFAT-101 was based out of. Walking through the hanger bay and then I was on the ramp. I took a second and just looked around and took it the fact that I was standing on one of the most important air fields in the country. Former Naval Air Station Miramar, home of Top Gun, and where a certain movie in the mid 80’s was filmed.

After a while of getting some photos of the aircraft on the line and talking with some media personal out there, we were able to take a tour of the squadron itself. The building was different than any other squadron I’ve been it. The squadron itself was above the hanger, so we had to go up a few stories. Once upstairs, it was like being back in time. Not a lot has changed since the building was built. If you seen the movie “Top Gun” then you know what it looks like - as the movie was filmed in that exact same building and looks the same. Walking through those halls, you can fell the historic nature and the legacy of everyone that has come through these halls, either in the Navy or the Marines. Our guide showed some briefing rooms, offices and different rooms. Then we got to see the bar. The bar is one of the most historic places in a squadron, where memorabilia from flights and deployments is often displayed, as well as gifts from other squadrons, people, and even former cold war advisaries resides. This is really where you could see that legacy. From every corner to the name tags on the wall there was a story. It felt like a museum, but we couldn’t stay for much longer as the festivities were about to kick off. We walked out of the hanger, and saw the crew chiefs prepping two F/A-18s and the T-34 Turbo Mentor. The people who would be flying the final sortie of VMFAT-101 would be the Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Ryan Franzen, 3rd MAW Assistant Commander Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, and the base commander of MCAS Miramar Col. Thomas Bedell. You could tell there was some exactment and sadness in the air, and there was a more melancholy mood as the pilots walked out to their jets. Once they strapped in and started up, it dawn on us: This was the last every sortie of this historic squadron, and squadron that provided me with my first every fighter jet shots back in 2010 and was a weekend staple up in Boise for so many years.

But, all good things must come to an end. The jets fired up, and the crew chief sent them on their way. Once they took off it was quiet, with the occasional KC-130J taking off, and at one point was interrupted by some VTOL F-35B action. After a while, the band started to show up, as well as other invitees and former members of VMFAT-101. Then, without much notice, the three-ship formation appeared and broke south over the field, and we ran to where we could get a photo of everyone taxing in and jumping out of the jets. Once they landed, everyone stood up and wanted to catch a glimpse of the final taxi-back of the “Shutr” callsign. There was a row of the 50 State flags that divided the flight line to the ramp space where the deactivation ceremony was going to be held. We were all set up to capture these moments, and once the jets taxied in, shut down it was silent. There was a mixed feeling of emotions in the air. Then canopies opened, the commanders got out, and there was a round of applause from the onlooking crowd. We all rushed back to our spots and got ready for the inspection of the ranks, as well as to get out of everyone’s way. The band started playing, and the opening ceremonies began. I moved around the stands to get a better shot of the inspection, trying carefully to be quiet while the commanding officers made their inspections of the ranks. The officiant of the deactivation then asked that all former commanding officers of VMFAT-101 please come forward, and join the current commander as the ranks marched passed. All of the Commanders. Once the inspection was made Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, 3rd Marine Air Wing assistant commander, and Lt. Col. Ryan Franzen made their speeches. During the middle of one of the speeches, four construction trucks drove right through the ceremony. One of the funniest, and most random things I’ve ever witnessed while doing and event like this. There was a special surprise for all the former F-4 and F/A-18 pilots that VMFAT-101 produced, was a specially pinnate tail of a F-4, commemorating the 54 year legacy. The tail is in the Officers Club at MCAS Miramar. At the end of Lt. Col Franzen’s speech he turned around to his platoons, and one last time shouted “Fighter Attack” and the men and women shouted back “Starts Here” one last time.

It was then time to cover the colors. The colors are an essential part of any squadron, as the flag of the United States of America, and the flag of the United States Marine Corps have the battle decorations adorned on them, and show the history of the squadron. Once the colors are covered, then squadron is deactivated. Lt. Col. Franzen with his second went to the colors, and covered up the Marine Corps banner first, then followed by the US Flag. The covered colors then were carried away, and the 3 platoons of men and women were officially dismissed. The band began playing the Marine Corps Hymn, and as a civilian who has never been on a marine base for a ceremony like this, was incredible to bear witness to. Once the official ceremony was over, I took a second to walk around and take some photos, and asked If I could be escorted out to the flight line for a quick photo to get the crowd, hanger and aircraft in a photo. I also took a second to take some photos of the last remaining 101 birds, as it may have been my last chance to do so. We walked back, and was talking with my 101 contact about going over to the O-Club for the after party, unforuanly I had a flight to catch in the afternoon, and couldn’t stay. As quick as it started, it was over and I was already on my way back to the airport. I wish I could’ve stayed longer to hear those stories and to be in one of the most famous officers clubs in the world, but I had to get back home to Boise.

This was one of the greatest 24 hours in my aviation photography career thus far, even know it took 10 years in the making. I want to say thank you to 3 MAW Public Affairs for accommodating us with such professionalism, as well as VMFAT-101 for the invitation and hospitality, and thank you to the person who made it all possible. You know who you are. The legacy of the SharpSHooters will forever be enshrined in not only the O-Club, but in the men and women that got their start in 101, either a crew chief, pilot or wso - the legacy of 101 will be passed down with future Marine Aviation still yet to come.

Gallery Link: https://www.boispotter.com/gallery-1/vmfat101-sharpshooters-sundown-deactivation