With the return Friday of Electronic Warfare Squardon 134, the Garudas, the last of the EA-6Bs currently on deployment from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station are back home.

For those who have lived on Whidbey for any length of time, it is a bittersweet transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler.

Early next year, the full transition from the Prowler to the Growler will be complete. VAQ-134 will be the last squadron at NAS Whidbey to fly the old workhorse EA-6B.

The first EA-6B arrived at NAS Whidbey in January 1971 and was deployed to service in the Vietnam War in 1972.

While not the prettiest or flashiest aircraft flown in the armed services, the Prowler is outfitted with an electronic warfare system and has long been appreciated for its long-range flight and all-weather capabilities.

Built by Grumman, the Prowler has been a familiar sight over Whidbey Island for decades. According to the Navy, it was built for carrier and advanced base operations.

It has the basic airframe of the now-retired A-6 Intruder, but with the addition of a forward cockpit that allows for a crew of four, one pilot and three responsible for countermeasures.

The EA-6B supported strike aircraft, ships and ground troops by degrading the enemy’s early warning capability and electronic weapons systems.

Avionics contained in the aircraft enabled it to navigate under all weather conditions without reference to ground navigation aids, fly high altitude or low level profiles, and intercept and jam enemy electronic emissions by means of its primary “weapon,” the tactical jamming system, according to a website documenting Navy history and aircraft.

In a nutshell, the Prowler has been a tenacious, enduring workhorse that is flying off into the sunset after more than 40 years in service. It has played a pivotal role in the defense of the United States, and is deserving of our appreciation.

While the EA-6B certainly can’t fly on forever, it certainly seems like it could have.

For that, the Prowler will be remembered.