End of an Era: The A6, All weather Bomber, Retires.
Marking the entrance to the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, WA., home to the Navy's Airborne Electronic Warfare Wing. Stands these two aircraft commemorating the service provided to the nation by the A6 Bomber and the EA6B Electronic Jamming aircraft, also known as a 'Wild Weasel'. For years the residents of Oak Harbor, WA have been complaining about the noise but, they have been relatively silent on the subject of late; I think September 11th. 2001 had a lot to do with it. The Navy has been part of this town's makeup since the early 1940's, when the old PBY's took off from the local waters, and patrolled the sea, safeguarding our coast. Later shifting to the all weather day/night A6 bomber. The bomber version of the A6 was retired a little more than a year ago. The EA6B remains; It will be retiring soon with the delivery of the Navy's newest 'Wild Weasel' aircraft. Right now the old EA6B is being flown by Navy & Air Force personnel, who trained right here at Whidbey Island.