The WHALES of DESERT STORM 

DISCLAIMER: I made an error in my research, the aircraft on the thumbnail is an ERA-3B, with the AN/ALQ-99 pods. VQ-2 used the EA-3B which could not carry the AN/ALQ-99. The ERA-3B was an aggressor EW aircraft, that carried the AN/ALQ-99. The ERA-3B also had RAT, stubbier/wider canoe than the EA-3B, and an extended tail. The ERA-3Bs never saw the Gulf, only the EA-3Bs of VQ-2 (Bu.No.146454 and Bu.No.146448).

Just some notes from a former VQ-2 EA-3B SEVAL (Senior Electronic warfare eVALuator, what we called the EW officer in the back) Whales were “beached” due to an increasing lack of critical parts at sea. (Per the Officer in Charge of the very last VQ-2 carrier detachment) The Nimitz mishap had nothing to do with it. Speaking of the Nimitz fatal, the IFR probe did not snap off, Nimitz’s airborne tanker’s package failed, and there was no readily available KA-6D. Rescue Swimmer was told to hold off, as there was no visible sign of any survivors and the inside of the Whale was pitch dark. Whales went on to keep flying as bailed RTD&E platforms nearly 20 years after their “retirement.” The EA-3B at Ft. Meade was brutally disassembled for storage, along with the other aircraft of Vigilance Park. 😢 Her disassembled remains are carelessly stashed nearby, and 10th Fleet doesn’t seem to GAF, and neither do the people at the National Cryptology Museum. 😢😢

I was only 18 and maybe had 6 months in the Navy before getting orders and attached to VQ-2 Rota, Spain. I was with VQ-2 from 1988-1991. Worked in Maintenance Control. Great times definitely. Think of those times often! Thank you for the video. ✌🏽

I am just now seeing this video. From 1971-75, I was enlisted and in a Navy squadron, VAQ-33, permanently land based at N.A.S., Norfolk, Va. I became a Plane Captain for the four ERA-3B Skywarriors that we had. The squadron also had four A-4 Skyhawks, two F-4 Phantoms, and one gorgeous EC-121 Super Constellation. We were an ECM squadron: Electronic Counter-Measures. Our mission was training the fleet to recognize and deal with enemy electronic warfare. Yep, our ERA-3B's had the jamming pods under both wings, men operating the ECM stations in the bomb bay, and a chaff dispenser under the tail. The A-4's would simulate enemy aircraft, much like they would do in helping train Top Gun pilots. The F-4 Phantoms had a radar in the nose that simulated Russian missiles. The EC-121 had a tall radome on top and a round one under the belly. It carried a crew of electronic technicians who could listen in on and mess with all of the communications between the carriers and the pilots in the air. And boy, did they mess with them...!! On one mission, the technicians in the EC-121 found the radio frequency between the Carrier and their planes that were on patrol. The technician ordered the planes to return to the carrier. The planes started back. As they got near the carrier, the carrier frantically called the jets and demanded why they were returning. The pilots said that they had been ordered to return. The carrier told them that they had been "had" and tricked. Our squadron had a big laugh over this...!! I loved being a Plane Captain for our A-3's. It was a very hands-on plane and each one had it's own 'personality' and little quirks that you needed to be aware of. I became very protective of "MY" A-3's. I will always have very fond memories of my short few years in VAQ-33. I should have stayed in...!!

Former whale pilot from VQ-2 in Rota, Spain. I knew the crews who were flying the EA-3B’s in your video. Terrific group of guys and a great airplane to fly, and yes it was like flying a 1957 Chevy aboard the carrier, in fact I think the windshield wipers were from a 57 Chevy, lol

Former VQ2 EA-3B aircrew here. Thanks for posting this. The interior footage is quite rare. Will be fun to show the grandkids! I was flying a different airframe for desert storm and didn’t know or had forgotten about the whales flying too. Thanks for telling their story.

Such a beast. Such bravery.

Always liked the Skywarrior, big and menacing. Looks like a real handful to get on a carrier deck, no wonder there were accidents.

I was in the backend of those planes during DS/DS as an ELINT operator in "Bart of Arabia". Some of the best shipmates and consummate professionals I flew with over three flying tours in VQ-2 and VPU-1.

The use of Meteor music in the background is so fitting for an aviation video. Well done!

ITS THE FIRST TIME I HEARE ABOUT IT VERY EXCELLENT INFORMATION SIR 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Sad about the crew but glad to see there sea legs finally rested a land birds for the rest of there service lives. Man. I learned a lot on this one and I think you learned a little yourself I think your getting as much brain sponging as your faithful subscribers! With respect to your research and editing skills brother it just keeps getting crispier and crispier loving every second of these videos and it’s a privilege to be a part of this channels growth by being the first to see and them and engage first answering many questions. John Clayborn of the Invader Foundation started an Aviation Research Network and this is exactly what it’s about! Credible sources and actually putting a rating on source credibility and I absolutely promise you that your arm is part of this reach to help people learn. So we all learn. And your channel becomes part of the network of credibile viable sources. No money or anything it’s just some friends man. We all love this stuff. So if ever say Gulf Whales are the subject in the network’ well were gona hand em off to you my friend and you become the outlet to learn! While growing! 💪🏼 you know him i forgot 🤦🏻 I completely forget. Now I want to erase this whole thing 🤣🤣🤣 no. Leave it. It’s important. We’re all in this together the passion brother we’re Aviation nutters Aviation Addicts! Avgeeks! Whatever right!!! Sorry rant over. Video got me pumped up. History is rich in these birds.

There is a Skywarrior on display at a small aviation museum in Oakland, CA. If memory serves it is a former tanker model.

Note you used several videos without permissions of the owners or providing credits including myself. Credit Keith May, Squadron VQ-2, John Herndon, Bob Dasher, Michael Dawson, patch in video designed and made by Steve Lopez

Can't leave the vintage DS fun to the Canberras and Starfighters alone.

Glad that the plane is off carriers anymore

Broooo, I am literally looking forward to every new video, keep up the good work!

"002" seen there was the only A-3 ever painted in the TPS scheme.

Got this from Aviation Geek Club: “Indeed, a single EA-3B (launched from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia) was on station for each carrier strike into Iraq, the ‘Whale’ crews coordinating their activities with E-2Cs and EA-6Bs for the targeting of HARM against Iraqi SAM and radar sites. EA-3Bs also provided a similar service to USAF elements attacking targets in northern Iraq, the ‘Whales’ flying from Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete”

The Whale was first off the deck and last to land. Darkness and fatigue may have contributed to the crash (per Norfolk Ledger Star feature story). RIP to the crew.

I had no idea the whales were apart of the gulf!

Weight was a serious consideration. I do not think that the A-3 was pressurized. I could be in error. If so, I would like to know.

By the way, the 2 F-15 markings on the side of Bart if Arabia were mock engagement kills/assists. (Oops, meant to reply to Karmpus lol)

When are they getting longer?

PR 010 was my fav. Whale. We flew the shit out of her in the straights off the the kittyhawk in 88.

Nice video, but you made a error in the opening. The EA-3, like the RA-3 and TA-3, were factory built as, not conversions.

Sky Warrior. Easy to say.

1981 crash?

So why the F-15 kill marks?

DOUSE THE ROCK !!! Totally insufferable !! ... outta heah , ya HEAH ..