Editing Grumman EA-6B Prowler (section)

===Twentieth century===
[[File:EA-6B Prowler VAQ-131 in flight c1973.jpg|thumb|left|VAQ-131 was the second squadron to deploy to Vietnam, in September 1972.]]

In September 1970, the EA-6B entered service with Fleet Replacement Squadron [[VAQ-129]]; ten months later, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the type. during June 1972, VAQ-132 began its first combat deployment to Vietnam on {{USS|America|CVA-66|2}}; it was promptly followed by VAQ-131 on {{USS|Enterprise|CVAN-65|2}} and VAQ-134 on {{USS|Constellation|CVA-64|2}}.<ref>Bowers 1990, p. 274.</ref> Two squadrons of Prowlers flew 720 sorties during the Vietnam War in support of US Navy attack aircraft as well as the [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] bombers of the [[United States Air Force]]; typically, they would suppress enemy air defenses just prior to the attack/bomber aircraft deploying their own payloads.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://warhistory.org/@msw/article/b-52s-the-last-argument-of-presidents |title = B-52s – The Last Argument of Presidents |website = warhistory.org |date = 2 February 2024}}</ref>

During the 1983 [[invasion of Grenada]], four Prowlers supported the operation from {{USS|Independence|CV-62}}.<ref>Grossnick 1997, p. 737.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/publications/1910/Part6.pdf |title = Grenada Combat Operations: 25 October–2 November 1983 |website = history.navy.mil |access-date = 11 February 2025}}</ref> Two years later, in response to the [[Achille Lauro hijacking]], Prowlers from {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60}} provided ESM support during the interception of the EgyptAir 737 carrying four of the hijackers on 10 October 1985.<ref name="Laur">Laur 1998, pp. 63-65.</ref>

Prowlers jammed Libyan radar and air defenses during [[1986 United States bombing of Libya|Operation El Dorado Canyon]] in April 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2011/january/americas-first-strike-against-terrorism |title = America's First Strike Against Terrorism |first = Joseph T. |last = Stanik |publisher = U.S. Naval Institute |date = January 2011}}</ref> Similarly, Prowlers from VAQ-135 on {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65}} jammed Iranian Ground Control Intercept radars, surface-to-air missile guidance radars and communication systems during [[Operation Praying Mantis]] on 18 April 1988.<ref name="Laur" /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1989/may/air-view-operation-praying-mantis |title = The Air View: Operation Praying Mantis |first1 = Bud |last1 = Langston |first2 = Don |last2 = Bringle |publisher = U.S. Naval Institute |date = May 1989}}</ref>

During 1991, a total of 39 EA-6Bs were involved in [[Operation Desert Storm]]; 27 were based on six aircraft carriers while 12 from USMC shore bases. During 4,600 flight hours, Prowlers fired over 150 [[AGM-88 HARM]] missiles, the majority of which were targeted at radars and communications nodes across Iraqi's integrated air defense system. In total, U.S. Navy Prowlers flew 1,132 sorties while USMC EA-6Bs flew 516 sorties; no losses were incurred.<ref name="Laur" /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://balloonstodrones.com/2022/01/20/desertstorm30-electric-avenue-electronic-warfare-and-the-battle-against-iraqs-air-defences-during-operation-desert-storm/ |title = #DesertStorm30 – Electric Avenue: Electronic Warfare and the battle against Iraq’s air defences during Operation Desert Storm |website = balloonstodrones.com |date = 20 January 2022 |first = Thomas |last = Withington}}</ref>

Following the retirement of the [[General Dynamics EF-111 Raven|EF-111 Raven]] in 1998, the EA-6B was the only dedicated aerial radar jammer aircraft of the [[United States Armed Forces]], until the fielding of the Navy's [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]] in 2009.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} The EA-6B was flown in almost all American combat operations from 1972 until its retirement in 2019, and was frequently flown in support of missions undertaken by the United States Air Force.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}