The Prowler-Growler Association was established in 2013 (as the Prowler Association) as a fully tax-exempt fraternal organization within the meaning of IRS code 501(c)(19). In 2024, the Association officially changed its name to the Prowler-Growler Association to recognize the continued Electronic Attack accomplishments demonstrated by the EA-18G Growler and the men & women who fly, maintain and support it; as well as to maintain an unbroken line of Electronic Attack professionals, many of whom served in both aircraft. Members of the Association come from three military services, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force. Association Members include Aircrew and Maintenance Officers, Enlisted Organizational/Intermediate Maintainers and Administrative Personnel as well as Government and Contractor Civilians plus their spouses who have supported the EA-6B Prowler & EA-18G Growler throughout their distinguished histories. The Prowler-Growler Association will maintain a Website to archive the Prowler & Growler historical legacies as well as promulgate current information on upcoming activities and individual accomplishments. We, who are already members, encourage you to join us to keep the keep the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler legacies documented for history and to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow Prowlers & Growlers.
The mission of The Prowler-Growler Association is to preserve and promote the legacy, history, and accomplishments of the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler of having provided the Department of Defense continuous Electronic Attack service since 1972. We will honor those who flew, maintained, built, or supported the Prowler & Growler, and their families. We will inform the public of the Prowler's & Growler's contributions to America's military successes. We will sponsor patriotic events, hold symposiums and fraternal gatherings, assist historic memorials to naval aviation, and in general foster the memory of the Prowler & Growler and do well for our members. We will remember and honor deceased Prowlers & Growlers and assist their families. Most importantly, we will foster continued comradeship for members via our professional fraternity.
Sponsored by the Prowler-Growler Association through the Tailhook Education Fund, the Electronic Attack Scholarship is presented annually. This scholarship is presented by the members of the Electronic Attack Community to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country while flying a Navy electronic attack aircraft which includes the EF-10B, EKA-3B, EA-6A, EA-6B and EA-18G.
To learn more, please select link under 'People'.
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In Memoriam
RDML Grady L. Jackson, USN (Ret.)
It’s our sad duty to report that Rear Admiral Grady Jackson passed away peacefully on November 2.
Grady, along with RADM Ken Carlson, was one of the first Prowler Flag Officers. He was instrumental in building the Electronic Attack community into one of the Navy’s most lethal warfighting capabilities. Grady fought hard for the continued improvement of the Prowler, both at NAS Whidbey and the Pentagon, and his efforts laid the foundation for the EA-18G and all improvements that have expanded electronic attack.
Grady’s experience as an NFO started with the EA-1F, an electronic warfare version of the AD-1 Skyraider. He transitioned communities to the A-6 Intruder in 1970 and made a notable war cruise to Vietnam with the VA-75 “Sunday Punchers” onboard USS SARATOGA (CV-60) as the squadron’s senior B/N. During this period he was awarded three Silver Stars and multiple DFCs. As well, he was involved in a tragic mishap on SARA when the pilot’s PHD came loose on the cat stroke, pinning the stick all the way aft. With no B/N control of the ejection, Grady got out, but his pilot (CDR Charles Earnest, the CO) did not.
Grady was known as the “Silver Fox,” a call sign that stuck with him through his command tour with the Garudas and as Wing Commander of COMMATVAQWINGPAC. He was a gentleman, a gentle man, and a man of enduring faith. The Prowler and Intruder communities were privileged to have someone of his stature at the helm for so many years, and he will be sorely missed.
A link to his family obituary can be found at this link: https://www.online-tribute.com/GradyJackson
Interment will be held at a later date with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Tributes to the Silver Fox from some who knew him for many years:
Grady and I were selected for Flag by the same selection board. Later when I was CO of Independence, Grady was CO of Diego Garcia. I agree he was a great man. - Ken Carlson
Admiral Jackson was a phenomenal person. It is folly for me to try and find the words to describe him and what he meant to all of us, and I know we all share the utmost respect and admiration for him. God bless him. (There is no doubt about that!) - Ken Krech
Sad news indeed. He was a great leader, Christian, and friend. I am blessed to have known him. - Larry Kaiser
In 1965 LTJG Jackson was my EW instructor at GLYNCO! Our paths crossed for years: when he was CO of 134 I was his MO, when he was at OPNAV I had PMA-253. Even after we both retired we worked together on a Joint Services EW study for DoD. A great guy always. I consider him to be the Patron Saint of Navy EW. - Zeke Zardeskis
He was a great leader for the VAQ community and a leader who had a positive influence on many young officers. May he rest in peace. - Bill Dickson
I have never known such a Godly, nice man who changed personality so quickly when he walked onto the basketball court. He would back you in ('butsy' if you can say that in church) until he was directly under the rim for a short layup, and you couldn't call a foul since he was the CO.
There was never a dull moment flying with Zip and the SILVER FOX. ICS intercom communications were always lively. Zip would come up and say, "Hey, Jim Bob, I've just got you selected, did you notice how much the Skipper is combing his hair?" And then we'd hear this transcendent 'Voice of God', "OKAY, YOU GUYS".
He was the ultimate combat professional. When VAQ-134 first arrived in Air Wing 17 on USS ENTERPRISE attending our first strike brief, the lead was some A-7 fruit fly pilot who briefed the Electronic Warfare aspects of the strike-"the EA-6B guys will just orbit over here doing their thing". The FOX as GARUDA XO immediately jumped up and said, "I'll brief the EW". It was the most complete, professional close-support jamming brief we'd ever heard, completely unplanned.
When he took over as COMMATVAQWINGPAC Wing Commander there was such a calm that come over the entire command. He was always the consummate compassionate professional. He cared deeply for every individual. - "Jim Bob" Powell
During my time in the ‘Garudas' I had the best two Skippers a young junior officer could ask for. Grady Jackson was one of them. And this statement is echoed by everyone I come in contact with who also served under Admiral Jackson. In fact, I was asked to speak at a ‘Garuda” enlisted reunion a few years ago, and to a man each asked about Skipper Jackson, and alluded to their time in the squadron as the best during their time in the Navy.
Admiral Jackson was a true professional, and his style of leadership was certainly one to emulate. He was a warrior as well, using his varied combat experiences to ensure those in his squadron not only had the mindset to wage war if needed, but were knowledgeable in all aspects of their specialty. I’ll miss him greatly, as our friendship blossomed in later years. I am the father of 3 daughters, but if I had a son I’d be pleased if he was another Grady Jackson. Hand Salute Skipper. See you on the next deployment. - "Zip" Trower
Thanks for passing the info about Grady's passing. Hard to believe he's gone. He was such an energetic and friendly man. In all the years I served with him I never saw him angry. He's now with his Lord. - Barney O'Connell
Very sad news about the "Silver Fox's" passing! He was a true gentleman, a fantastic, respected leader and a man who lived his faith in everything he did. He and Linda were a great team! I had the good fortune to be a member of his Garuda squadron and learned so much from him. May he rest in peace! - Tom Ford
Prowler Growler Association Future Dates of Interest:
TBD Jul 2027 - P-G-A Reunion '27; Oak Harbor & Anacortes, WA
CHANGES TO PGA WEBSITE
The Prowler-Growler website willl be going through some major changes over the next few months. We will be adding Growler content and have pages in front of the member sign-in for non-members to find out what we're about. Please be patient as we sort and move things around. (October 2025)
