KC-135 Refuelling a USN EA-6B Prowler with another one behind and a F-14A Tomcat of a “Swordsmen” en route to Kuwait, Feb 1991.

credit Dave Parsons

By the mid-1960s, the U.S. Navy's EA-1F Skyraider was an old warhorse, a piston-powered aircraft in the jet age. It wasn't fast or glamorous, but it carried the Navy's primary electronic warfare mission during the first half of the Vietnam War. It was during those days that EA-1F pilots received very unusual and disturbing instructions... 1/2

In the event of an engine failure or any other aerial emergency, EA-1F pilots were told not to jettison their ECM pods! The reason was simple: by then, the ECM pods slung under the wings were worth more than the aircraft itself. Losing the aircraft was considered preferable to throwing away precious electronics to gain altitude or power! It's a fascinating snapshot of the '60s, when avionics were becoming so valuable that they could literally outweigh the airframe in the Navy's eyes. 2/2

CASA aircraft of the Colombian Air Force

Top: CN-235 “Phobos” electronic warfare and signal intelligence aircraft.

The EA-18 Growler Demo Team turning and burning, showcasing their prowess with blazing burners, fluffy wings, and agile maneuvers, all at once!

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The 2023 Stuart Air Show

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But now it makes sense! We have finally figured out how to hack them and send them back to Russia!

Are we awesome? Yes, we are awesome☺️🇺🇦