It’s out with the old and in with the new for the Patriots of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140. Along with the excitement of taking delivery of the ICAP III version of the EA-6, the Patriots were forced to part with an icon of the Prowler community, AG 500, also known around Whidbey Island as “America’s Prowler”.

Since 1985, VAQ-140 has humbly flown the colors of our national ensign in every major campaign since Operation Desert Shield to today’s Operation Enduring Freedom.

The responsibility of flying the flag is taken seriously by the Patriot Corrosion Control shop and little time was wasted preparing our newest jet for the task.

Led by Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Classes J.D. Heron on day check and Matthew Bajema on night check, the legacy paint scheme was modified to account for the updated electronics of the ICAP III. Setting about with pain staking care and applying the red, white and blue to the newest AG 500, a total of seven arduous days were spent prepping the jet and working meticulously on the details of Old Glory.

The men and women of the Grumman Iron Works chose the perfect material for the canvas of America’s Prowler… metal. There are no composite materials or ultra-fragile parts on the combat proven EA-6B. Painting a Prowler is not unlike painting a classic car. After sanding it down to the bare metal, sweep it off, wipe it down, and it is ready to go for the new coat.

“The next step is the painstaking duty of taping off the design on the metal to create the sharp lines of the star spangled banner,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Alexander Gideon. “Phase one was comprised entirely of the blue field, which runs around the canopy and back to the tail as the backdrop to the stars.”

Between each coat, the crew had to wait and literally watch the paint dry for about a day and a half. Phase two had the crew taping and painting the red for the stripes and jet intakes.

The white stars required a special process of diligently stripping down the previously applied blue into the shapes of stars. Although time consuming, this allowed the application of the white paint directly to the metal, ensuring a bright glossy finish.

Seven days of work transformed AG 500. It entered Hangar 8 a dull Navy gray Prowler and emerged as a jet that everyone can be proud of. The flag virtually snaps in the wind, with its waves painted to create a near 3-D effect. 

Most impressive is the mirror image flag flowing on either side of the vertical stabilizer. Upholding the legacy of those who have gone before us, the Patriots will continue flying America’s colors into harm’s way whenever and wherever naval aviation is called.