The A-6 is a neat jet, but if you haven’t watch old war footage, you won’t think much of it. Just don’t tell that to an old Intruder pilot or his EWO.

I guarantee you someone the age of your dad will knock you off your rocker.

But seriously, the A-6 Intruder is an instructive lesson for you folks looking to become a fighter pilot. It is a tough little aircraft (barely 50 feet long), yet it can carry 15,000 pounds of bombs like it’s nothing.

The Navy used it almost exclusively during Vietnam, and electronic warfare versions were continuing to be used when we were in the Persian Gulf.

It flies low, slow and alone. In fact, many times two Intruders made the enemy think they were being attacked by the much larger B-52 Stratofortresses.

The pilots knew different. They also knew how important teamwork is, working with the ground pounders we respect to light up a target for bombing.

You can see the video here for more of what I mean:

But as I said there, it’s just the first step. You need to have the mindset of someone who’s fought in an Intruder to succeed as a fighter pilot.

It takes courage and commitment, and the ability to look at something as an obstacle to overcome.

It’s also a sign that the military is evolving. The A-6 doesn’t live on, though it’s electronic warfare sister, the EA-6B Prowler does.

You need to be able to adapt quickly, and put your full weight behind the project to succeed.