The Cougars of VAQ-139 began operational use of the newest Prowlers in the EA-6B inventory July 8. 

Embarked aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for the better part of July, the Cougars demonstrated the improved capabilities of this platform during Tailored Shipboard Training Assessment. This work-up period provided the first opportunity for the Cougars to conduct exercises with Carrier Air Wing 14 while flying the ICAP-III (Improved Capability, 3rd Version) Prowler.

The Cougars took delivery of the first ICAP-III jet in March. Two additional jets were received in the months following. After five months of aircrew and maintenance training, the Cougars packed up and headed south to meet up with Reagan in the dark blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The rigorous carrier environment was an ideal proving ground to put the ICAP-III jets through the paces.  Carrier landings and catapult shots, tactical maneuvering and ever-changing environmental factors had little effect on the rugged system, which was applauded by Cougar aircrew and maintenance personnel.

“It really is just awesome what this system does for us,” said Lt. Rich Dungan, an Electronic Counter Measures Officer for the Cougars. “It will pay dividends when it comes time to protect the strikers.”

A key feature of the ICAP-III Prowler is the Tactical Display System, which provides aircrew with a bird’s eye view of working areas, navigational data, routes and emitter location. This increase in situational awareness allows for increased accuracy, timing and better support for strike aircraft.

The ICAP-III system is more complex than the Block 89A and 89 inventory of Prowlers, and with that came the need for additional training by maintenance personnel as well as aircrew. AE1 Robert Price said, “With the system being so new, few troubleshooting and maintenance manuals are available, so the need for us to use our rating knowledge and basic skills is essential. We love the challenge, its kind of like going from working on a 1975 Chevy Blazer to a 2005 Cadillac Escalade.”

The Cougars, who returned Tuesday from TSTA, will soon have the chance to further refine the ICAP-III methods of electronic warfare in Fallon, Nevada during strike training with Carrier Air Wing 14 and Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC).

VAQ-139 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Chuck Luttrell said, “These work up periods will prove invaluable to us and the Prowler community as we are tasked with evaluating and documenting the ICAP-III tactics and techniques.  Lessons learned today will assist in the future development of this system and the follow-on aircraft.”