Four Nimitz Aviators Safe after Ejecting from EA-6B Prowler

Navy Newsstand ^ | 7/28/2003, 9:11:00 AM | U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Story Number: NNS030728-01

Release Date: 7/28/2003 9:11:00 AM

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

ABOARD USS NIMITZ (NNS) -- Four aircrew are safe and in good condition after ejecting from their EA-6B Prowler jet aircraft in the Arabian Gulf. The four ejected at approximately 11 a.m. local time July 27 during routine flight operations, and were rescued by helicopters assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group.

The Prowler is a long-range, all weather aircraft designed for jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications. The EA-6B was attached to VAQ-135, an Electronic Attack Squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 11 aboard Nimitz. When not attached to Nimitz, VAQ-135 is home-based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has been forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf since April 2003, supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I'm glad the guys are OK.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

030417-N-4441P-012 Arabian Gulf (Apr. 17, 2002) -- An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Black Ravens” of Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Five (VAQ-135) navigates during a Surface Search Contact (SSC) mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are on deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael J. Pusnik Jr. (RELEASED)

[nevergore]

Wasn't this the same type of plane Bush rode to the carrier off San Diego?

NeverGore

[FreedomPoster]

Glad they're safe. We're low on those airframes, and there's nothing much upcoming to replace that role, IIRC. Bad deal on that side of it.

[RoughDobermann]

Any idea if the ejections happened during approach or launch?

[RoughDobermann]

Wasn't this the same type of plane Bush rode to the carrier off San Diego?

No, he rode in an S-3 Viking (Hoover)

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

No, Bush was brought aboard by an S-3 Viking.

[Jonah Hex]

No, the President arrived aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln in an S-3 Viking (nicknamed "the Hoover" by some deckhands for its tendancy to suck them off their feet).

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I haven't heard. The article doesn't mention how long they were in the air when they had to eject or during what phase of their mission.

[LTCJ]

Fallen comrade ping

[WestPacSailor]

The aircraft was about 8 miles from the ship at the time of the ejection.

NOTE: The S-3 Viking is called a Hoover because, when the engines spool up, it sounds remarkably like a vacuum cleaner. The nickname has nothing to do with sucking people into the intakes. Having worked flight decks on carriers for almost eight years I can safely say that the S-3 is very safe to work around, provided you do not suffer from cranial-rectal inversion. The engines are mounted relatively high and the airflow into the high-bypass turbofans is fairly benign, compared to older engines like those on the F-14.

[ken5050]

That airframe was probably older than all of the 4 crew..

[EGPWS]

I'm glad the guys are OK.

As am I.

I didn't realize the EA-6B was a 4 man aircraft! I thought it was a 2 man aircraft. I wish I had the cost of the anti-radiation canopy in my pocket...I would retire tomorrow!

[VOA]

naval aviation/carrier ping

[Hatteras]

You might be thinking about the A-6 Intruder:

[Akira]

Thanks for the post, I am certainly glad they are safe.

[EGPWS]

You might be thinking about the A-6 Intruder:

Yea, thanks for the post. It dawned on me after posting my question that the EA-6B has a dual canopy! Since the cockpit is a side by side configuration, that would equal 4! Thanks again friend!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The A-6 Intruder is a 2-man aircraft (crew sits side-by-side):

The EA-6B Prowler is a 4-man aircraft (guys also sit side-by-side, 2 each):

[EGPWS]

Excellent pic's EMB! Thanks! Note the color of the canopy on the EA-6B! $$$

If I recall properly the EA-6B is the only version of the "Intruder" in service at this time.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I've heard that the canopy is inlaid with gold and other minerals and is worth a bunch of money.