No other tactical jet had such a long history with the USMC, and the Prowler's retirement brings to an end the service's use of specialised electronic warfare (EW) aircraft. The Prowler story began with the first flight of the EA-6A on May 25, 1968. Developed from the earlier A-6 Intruder strike aircraft, the first examples entered US Navy service in January 1971, but another six years passed before the marines got their first jets. They were taken up by what was then the service's sole airborne EW unit - Marine Tactical Eiectronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) 2, at the time known as the 'Playboys' - which had previously flown EA-6As. Around 16 aircraft were eventually on strength with VMAQ-2, divided into three detachments (X, Y and Z).
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