A-6E Intruder VA-196 (US Navy)
United States Navy

A-6E Intruder
Operator: VA-196 Main Battery
Location: Persian Gulf
Timeframe: 1996
Loadout: Surface Unit Combat Air Patrol
- 1: GBU-12
- 2: MER 3x Mk.20 (center + rear outboard)
- 3: Fuel tank
- 4: AGM-84
- 5: Fuel tank

Personal Interest:
This model depicts the venerable A-6E Intruder armed for the Surface Unit Combat Air Patrol mission. Although the Iraqi Navy did not pose a significant threat to the USS Carl Vinson battle group, there were serious concerns about other nations operating in the Persian Gulf, particularly Iran. Carrying a variety of anti-ship weapons, the A-6E could neutralize nearly any surface threat to the carrier group from a distance. Strike missions in contested airspace was left to the newer F/A-18 aircraft.