A recent ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point marked the beginning of the end of an era.  The first EA-6B Prowler ever delivered to the US Marines retired on June 10 off this year:

In early 1977, the Marine Corps received its first EA-6B Prowler, tail number 160432 and marked with the number 000…[at] Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.

After 34 years of service and more than 11,000 flight hours, 160432 made its final active duty flight June 10.

The article includes imagery that might be associated with a fighter pilot traditional “fini flight.”  In this case, two fire trucks created a water arch as the aircraft taxied back for the final time.

What will become of the aircraft?  Like many war-weary combat veteran aircraft, it will be memorialized…on a stick:

Having flown missions in many areas of the world, the retired Prowler will now become a display at its home base of Cherry Point.

The EA-6B is slated to be replaced by the EA-18G Growler in the US Navy.  The Marines have reportedly considered a uniquely equipped F-35 as their replacement.