Grumman A-6 Intruder In service between 1963-1997

[Matkat33]

The music is lame.

[whoRUcallingatube]

Plane captain, VA-128, 1976-1980. Three and a half years in the frickin' line shack...spent my last six months in power plants. Think I trained some of you peoples. ;-)

[Cibao228]

Plane Captain - VA-115 Eagles 1983-1984. The is one one the best airframes to ever have come out of the Grunman Iron Works.

[Buggs411]

Guntrain, AT2(AW)Porter here. I remember working with you on the VA-115 SWIP birds. Re-heating a few 'zap-splices' in the wing but area fixed 90% of the problems. I signed on to your YT channel. Give me a hollar when you get the chance.

[Islandvoyager]

Plane Captain VA-35, Plane captain of the quarter, West Pac 69-70, U.S.S Coral Sea. Great squadron , great plane, and my youth goes with it.

[bochrist1]

I smiled throughout. VA 65 out of NAS Oceana Virginia attached to Ike. 1978 -1980. I was an AE in AIMD. What memories!!!!

[TheRigger45]

VA145 Airframes 79-82, VA-128 FRAMP instructor 82-85 and VA-128 Airframes and Phase 89-92.

[larrygouge]

Stunning montage!! A superb demonstration of the power of beautiful photographic art displayed with creative genius. Can't get enough of this...so I enjoy it at regular intervals. And of course I'm a die-hard Intruder fan. By the way, can you help me with the name of the piece and artist doing the haunting introductory music on this video? Thanks!

[williebme63]

One of greatest planes ever. Gone but not replaced. The F-18's can't carry half the bombs, half as far, or half as accurate as the A6-E's. It was killed by D.C. politics, and corperate greed. They would not upgrade the A6's out of fear it would kill the F-18 E &D models. I worked in VMA(aw)-224. I was lucky to help take them into battle one last time. Half the number of A6's to the F-18's doing twice the work. Simper Fi

[banzaibones]

Worked on these great aircraft as an AQ VA-128 1982-86. Shame the rate, squadron and aircraft are all gone.

[RonN448]

I worked on the APQ-112 Track Radar system in AIMD with VA-35 out of NAS Oceana, VA. Was onboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA 43 at the time) in Viet Nam, in 1969-1970, and on the USS America (CVA 66) in 1971 when we went to the Med. I'm very proud to have worked on this amazing all-weather, all-terrain bomber; and thanks to 07zglo for posting this. The A6 was one of--if not the only--aircraft that could carry its own weight in bombs and armament. Anyone else on here who was with VA-35 then?

[THaulk]

@RonN448

Hello fellow Panther! I was in VA-35 from early '73-Dec'75. Started out in 1st Lt Div, then Line to PC, Corrosion Control. Came out as an AMS3. Beautiful Aircraft! I miss them.

[19balboa60]

@RonN448 I came to VA-35 in fall of 1980. Spent 3 and a half years in that elite squadron at NAS Oceana and onboard USS Nimitz. I just didn't know it then what a great outfit we were. I worked the ordnance shop. Miss it terribly. The video brings it all back. I wonder how many of these planes in the video I have touched

[msalak87]

This is such a deceivably loud jet.

[lonelywolf1966]

my 2 fave planes,, intruder and her big sister the prowler... thanx

[RoundTableinc]

Its wierd how my dad flew thos in the Navy o_O

[THaulk]

@RoundTableinc

What squadron was he with?

[MinhDucIIIIIII7]

A-6 Intruder is a great design.

[manfromlox]

VA-176 : God Bless America!

Still miss these two nuts,

LT M. Tolf - Pilot - VA-176

LTJG E. Grabus - B/N - VA-176

And these Heros as well,

LCDR L. LaLonoe - B/N - VA-176

LCDR E. Tasch - Pilot - VA-176

LCDR M. Doughty - B/N - VA-176

LTJG Williams - Pilot - VA-176

God keep them on high.

[mig25pd]

Well - I think this music (from 'Gladiator') is quite appropriate - thanks.

[CVAN687478]

VA 35 Black Panthers, USS Nimitz CVAN 68 75-78

[THaulk]

@CVAN687478

Cool! Fellow Panther!! I was there '73-''75, Plank Owner on USS Nimitz CVN-68

[antenov]

those men and womens that have the luck to fly this should be so happy to fly one of the most iconic aircraft in us history a6 intruder should be in our hearts for ever and men and wommens to serv those planes.

[LauHuX51]

Agreed, the music should not be tear jerkin' elevator stuff, nor used tracks from fighter town. This footage needs TNT (Thunderstruck already spoken for by rotary wing). Heck, for all the teasing I suffered from light attack pilots, music from Texaco/Sunoco/Shell/BP ads would be more appropriate. NOTE: Light Attack guys were wrong of course.

[renton1664]

"Top Gun" music for one of the most iconic navy jets is quite in place i think.

[twardowsky11]

Nice photos, but you should choose more impressive and harder music

[moonrecal]

the best bomber ever

[WarbirdFactory]

The Intruder rocks!

[red34111]

was with va-128 RAG on whidbey 1983-86 AQ3

[chicom70]

VA-185 USS Midway 89-91 AQ shop A-6E TRAM

VA-95 USS Lincoln 91-93 A-6E SWIP

[guntrain68]

I was also in VA-185's (AO shop) from 1990-91, and VA-115 from 91-92.

[guntrain68]

I was also in VA-185's (AO shop) from 1990-91, and VA-115 from 91-92. I almost forgot: Medium Attack Weapons Detachment, NAF El Centro (1988-90)

[chicom70]

Well fellow Nighthawk, this is Gar the AQ troubleshooter during the war.

[Buggs41]

@guntrain68

VA-115 AT shop at the same time. I miss the USS MIdway so much, I am planning a family trip to see her again next spring! The MAGIC continues.

[guntrain68]

@Buggs41 who are you? (the former AO2) Marc Dillon here. Was in VA-115 IWT with AT2 Erin Page

[rgoldman1]

I served on the saratoga fron 82 to 86. those intruders can hold alot of ordinance.

[chicodecoster]

Miss the A-6. VMA(AW)242 Electric Shop-MCAS El Toro,VMA(AW)533 E/S-MCAS Cherry Pt, VMAQ-2 Det X Ray-MCAS Cherry Pt., VMAQ-1-MCAS Cherry Pt 1987-1993 U.S.M.C.

[Eden1907]

A second class petty officer in VA-65 I was part of the only group of enlisted men to have been allowed to ride in the A6 (for one hour). It was certainly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

[tredeep]

I had fond memories as a kid growing up in Virgina Beach watching these planes approach as we lived under the glide path...to NAS Norfolk

[klesmer]

P;ease correct me if I am wrong but aren't the EA-6'S still operational?

[Feuerwaffen]

Yes.

[klesmer]

Danke.

[Timbonezs]

They are.

[klesmer]

Thanks for the reply, I am glad to hear they are still flying.

[500VulcanRider]

@klesmer Yes, the EA-6Bs are still in the fleet, stationed I believe at Whidbey Island, Washington. A great base.

[spanish111japan]

No... Sadly thei are retried...

[spanish111japan]

Sorry sorry, i didn't read the plane u said well. The A-6 is out , but the EA-6 is still in.

[SuperTomcat622]

@klesmer Yes, they are. EA-6B Prowlers to be exact. They are still operational but they will soon be replaced in the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps by an electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet known as the F/A-18G Growler.

[tystick6969]

What a plane!! It did more than was expected of it. Va-85 AQ3 1990-93 Nas Oceana

[Eden1907]

Hi tystick (squadron mate!) .Sorry, my message above got it wrong. I was also in VA-65 and later transfered to VA-85 in 1972. It was, in fact while in VA-85 (at Oceana) that I got to fly not in VA-65

[RickDuggan]

Brings a tear to my eye to watch this I so miss flying this beautiful aircraft.

[retro21907]

One Bad Ass bird!

[bulldaawg]

I remember when they re-winged them in the 80's with the Composit stuff and the new wing fold act...I thought that was going to save em for a few years...

[antipryzm]

i've always thought the intruder was a beautiful plane.

[radiokt3k]

haha.. I was in VA-75 from '77 - '80

[BartCollins]

Fellow Sunday Puncher,

I was in VA-75 from August 67 - Dec 1970

67-68 WestPac and 69 and 69/70 med Cruises.

I was an AT and worked on the ASQ-57 package in AIMD. I was on the Sara when we launch at anchor in Pyreaus Greece. Scared the locals half to death because no one thought to tell them - they thought they were being attacked and bombed.

Bart

[radiokt3k]

Bart, I was an AQ. I was O level and worked on flight deck most of the time. I did work in AIMD for a while though. Cmdr. Mike Smith was our maintenance officer. Then he got accepted into Astronaut duty, then became the pilot of the Challenger on it's fateful mission.

[radiokt3k]

I was in VA75. VA-42 was in the hangar next to us in NAS Oceana. Did 3 cruises, was an AQ-2.

[THaulk]

@radiokt3k

Hanger 122?

[arthurleino]

Good post, was in VA-95,VA-115 and VA-185 all Intruder squadrons. Miss that airplane!

[myrmecia1977]

An Aussie I saw F16 paired with A6's in low level flight some time in 1995 or so, does anyone know what the pairing of these aircraft were. I assume they were wild weasel flights as part of the big exercise in full swing at the time. Does anyone know it this is correct or not?

[WinchesterRanger]

Thanks for your service Intruder, you were a great ship.

Pity we never got the A-6F model. PS - even the new F/A-18E/F can't match your range.

[Thor599]

No kidding. She was one of the finest.

[Icarusdecending82]

Anyone ever hear about that BN that got partially ejected from his intruder back in the 70's (I believe)? The pilot landed with his BN flapping in the wind. Google search "An Amazing A-6 Intruder Story" and enjoy. It includes photographs of the poor guy caught in the canopy.

[lewiekA6]

I remember the days of VA-42 and deploying with VA-65 to the South East Asia War Games in 65-66 aboard CVA-64. Sadly the Intruder and the "Connie" are now both gone

[panavia2]

very nice tribute to a beatiful airplane!!! The Music? Dead Can Dance??

***** +

[44samoht]

Close...Lisa Gerrard...this is with Hans Zimmer for the music soundtrack to Gladiator.

[Cutter1980]

Work horse of the US NAVY VA 65 81 thru 84 Best of the best Long Live the TIGER.

[BHCarlen]

20 years with the BUFFs - this makes me "home-sick"...

[planecrazymonkey]

days when pilots flew aircraft and not computers as the new breed today, great aircraft.

whats the first song called?

[mommy2ca]

EA-6Bs are still active, but will soon be phased out and replaced with a variant of the F/A-18, called the "Growler."

[Icarusdecending82]

as long as it fullfills the prowlers job. Tactical jammers are a must in modern air combat.

[mirlin235]

thats a negative

[thomascorey3]

actually it is

[mirlin235]

really?

[skunkfinder72]

No you all have it wrong...VA-115 Eagles Rule infact we got to be the VFA-115 StrikeFighter Squadron in Lemoore. Long live 115....

[CVAN687478]

Long Live VA35

[THaulk]

@CVAN687478

Panthers Rule!! 73-75!!

[everett4ever]

Loved working on this aircraft!! VA-42 & VA-34 and remember, IYAOUAS!

[1hijax]

I worked on the EA-6B in St. Augustine all I can say is "Heavy Duty"

[42STUKA]

A-6 Intruder, gone for over 10 years already! The Phantom, Skyhawk, Intruder, Tomcat, Crusader, Viking, Corsair II, what the hell? BRING BACK THE COLD WAR! (Or at least the aircraft...)

[CVAN687478]

VA 35-USS Nimitz RULES

[don902juan]

What is this? A Sunday Puncher only video? Long live VA-85!!!!!!

[radiokt3k]

I was in the Sunday Punchers...

[MH6M]

Great tribute to a wonderful aircraft.

[IntrudersForever]

Intruders Forever!!!

[drd454]

Great airplane. The Intruder would have to be one of the most successful postwar aircraft operated by the US armed forces, and certainly the most successful ground-attack aircraft: with its excellent range and weapons payload it sure did give value for money. During its long history, I'm surprised it was never bought by other countries and exported.

[cartelkiller]

My dad was a Lt. Col. Marine Intruder pilot

[Sanderniet]

this is a carrier based light bomber?

[TheGreenSmoke]

Ground attack aircraft.

[radiokt3k]

I was an AQ-2 in SQ. VA-75 A6 Intruder Squadron. I worked on weapons guidance, radar and navigation systems..and other things..

The Intruder was classified as a medium-attack bomber, and could carry 15000lbs of bombs, (and with the advent of FLIR, could drop them in a garbage can going 350mph.

[EASE83]

Thanks for posting. I used to work on these(AIRFRAMES)untill i got out of the USN in 91. I was on board the Aircraft carrier,USS CARL VINSON CVN 70. GOOD LOOKIN OUT!