Hobby Master 1/72 HA5010b Grumman EA-6B Prowler 160437, VAQ-142, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan "Operation Iraqi Freedom" (no "shark mouth painting")
Hobby Master HA5010b 1/72nd Grumman EA-6B Prowler 160437, VAQ-142, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan "Operation Iraqi Freedom" (no "shark mouth painting")
Based on the A-6 Intruder the Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler primary mission is to support strike aircraft and ground forces by interrupting enemy electronics and gathering tactical intelligence. The aircraft carries 4-crew and is in service with the USN and USMC. The first USN EA-6B was retired on June 10, 2011 and the last carrier deployment by an EA-6B took place on November 14, 2014. The USN will replace the EA-6B with the BoeingEA-18G Growler. The USMC will continue using the EA-6B until 2019.
The first Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142) "The Gray Wolves" is a USN squadron stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and was established on June 1, 1988 and disestablished in March 1991. The second VAQ-142 was established in 1997 and in 2003 was deployed to Bagram in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom”. They once again returned to Bagram and between July 2006 and January 2007 fling 187 days of missions. In October 2007 VAQ-142 again deployed to Iraq for 6 months in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.