A Surprise Visitor

Word went out that a Hornet was due in to Republic Airport on Thursday. While that might seem like an exciting visitor, they are getting to be a somewhat frequent guest of the airport, and just two weeks prior we had the Blue Angels, two Canadian Forces F/A-18s, and a pair of Navy Hornets all in for the air show. Then the rumor started going around that it might be a Super Hornet. Now we're talking - we don't see them around much, so it was something to keep an eye out for. Then the big day comes, and someone living under the approach posts a couple of photos...what on earth are those pods hanging from it...wait, that's not a Hornet, that's a Growler!

Yes, the Navy sent an EA-18G Growler. The local Northrop Grumman plant designed the electronic systems for the jet, which will be taking the place of Grumman's old workhorse, the EA-6B Prowler, and the visit was for workers to see the aircraft and meet with the pilots.