What was the naval aviation predecessor in the role of the EA-6B Prowler? A carrier launched EW aircraft that would accompany/support a strike over Vietnam?

 

Thanks

What was the naval aviation predecessor in the role of the EA-6B Prowler? A carrier launched EW aircraft that would accompany/support a strike over Vietnam? Thanks

 

EF-10 Skynight and EA-3/EKA-3 Skywarrior.

We still carried the Whale on the Midway as late as '84.

 

Buddha

pardon my ignorance Buddha, which was "the whale"?

 

Thanks

pardon my ignorance Buddha, which was "the whale"?

 

Thanks

 

Nevermind...found it. EA-3 Skywarrior

Like just about everything else, the Whale has its own web site: http://www.a3skywarrior.com/

 

Sorry for not being clear about it being the EA-3 in my first post.

 

Buddha

Interesting stuff...thanks Buddha.

 

Now for a 1965-1967 strike, whether it was the EF-10 Skynight or the EA-3/EKA-3 Skywarrior would simply boil down to the CAW "mix" for that particular float?

 

Who/what provided the Navy's CSAR at that time? I'm pretty certain that the Airforce had the Sikorsky S-61 (Sea King) Jolly Green Giant/ Douglas AD-1 Skyraider combo?

 

Thanks again,

 

Pete

That was a little before my CV tour, but I believe they carried the SH-3 for this purpose. This article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-3_Sea_King seems to bear that out.

 

I know in the case of the Midway, the ASW capability was added in '83 or '84, at which time we switched from the CH-3 to the SH-3. This correlates to the S-61 you mention.

 

Buddha

I have been to the site you referenced. Unless I come across something completely different, I'll go with the AD-1/S-61 combo for plucking downed vietnam-era naval aviators. Good enough for government work, or so they say.

 

Thanks again Buddha

Interesting stuff...thanks Buddha.

 

Now for a 1965-1967 strike, whether it was the EF-10 Skynight or the EA-3/EKA-3 Skywarrior would simply boil down to the CAW "mix" for that particular float?

 

Who/what provided the Navy's CSAR at that time? I'm pretty certain that the Airforce had the Sikorsky S-61 (Sea King) Jolly Green Giant/ Douglas AD-1 Skyraider combo?

 

Thanks again,

 

Pete

 

From By Sea, Air, and Land (Edward J. Marolda/Naval Historical Center) Chapter 3:

 

"Throughout the Rolling Thunder campaign, the Navy maintained units in the Gulf of Tonkin to retrieve downed fliers from the sea and from North Vietnam and Laos. Normally, two destroyers were deployed to the forward, North SAR Station (20N 107E) and another two to the South SAR Station (19N 106E). To carry out rescues in North Vietnam's lethal environment, one UH-2 Sea Sprite helicopter equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks, machine guns, and armor was nested on board a ship at each station. Another four similarly armed and armored Sikorsky SH-3A Sea Kings (the primary rescue helicopter) were based in one of the Yankee Station carriers. During major air operations, one or two SH-3As orbited over the destroyers. Each of the other aircraft carriers carried a detachment of three unreconfigured UH-2 helicopters devoted to sea rescues. Air Force Sikorsky HH-3E helicopters, Grumman HU-16 amphibian aircraft, and A-l Skyraider escorts also operated in the gulf. To provide the SAR helicopters with enemy ground fire suppression, communications, and other support during operations, the fleet kept four A-l, A-4, or A-7 attack aircraft airborne and ready for action. Under the overall control of Commander Task Force 77, the SAR Coordinator directed the Navy's effort from a North SAR Station destroyer. This officer guided the actions of the airborne on-scene commander and arranged for additional support when it was needed.

 

 

The fleet's search and rescue forces saved many American aviators from death or captivity. From 6 June 1964 to 1 November 1968, 458 of the 912 naval air crewmen downed as a result of combat or noncombat operations in North Vietnam, Laos, or at sea were recovered. While the retrieval of aviators from crash sites on land, when at all possible, took somewhat longer, the rescue at sea usually occurred within 20 to 30 minutes of the aircraft loss. The effort was not without cost, however, for 26 men were killed, wounded, missing, or made prisoner, and 33 aircraft were destroyed during SAR operations. This measure, however, returned valuable air crews to the fleet and improved the morale of naval aviators, who knew the Navy would do its utmost to rescue them from hostile territory or waters."

Thanks RA-5C (Patrick...I think), good gouge.