(Rob’s Pick!) December 2025: Cease Buzzer!: Life as a U.S. Navy EA-6B Pilot in the Era of Top Gun by Captain J.P. Springett II , USN (Ret)
“Cease Buzzer!” is the author’s description of the world of tactical Naval Aviation from the perspective of a career EA-6B pilot. Embark on a three-decade long journey with the author as he navigates through flight training and his first several fleet squadrons, takes command of an EA-6B squadron, and ultimately steers the Electronic Attack Wing of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Discover life aboard a carrier, amusing port visits, engaging training detachments, and an array of high-intensity liberty experiences. Beyond the personal anecdotes, this book also sheds light on combat actions in Serbia, Kosovo, and Iraq, and provides a distinctive viewpoint on land-based EA-6B combat support in Afghanistan.
The period that this book covers could easily be identified as the “Top Gun Era” of Naval Aviation, and it was exceptionally busy for the real pilots of the U.S. Navy. The public is generally aware that Navy strike and fighter pilots flew hundreds of thousands of combat sorties, and employed millions of pounds of ordnance on enemy targets. What most will not be familiar with are the extensive operations of the EA-6B community during this period and the fact that no Navy striker or fighter went into harm’s way without their dedicated Electronic Warfare support.
The job of EA-6B crews was not intended to make it into the headlines. The aircraft was designed to “Deny, Degrade, Deceive, or Destroy” our adversary’s air defense systems so that the fighter guys could get their job done and safely return to the carrier. As the Global War on Terror transformed from conventional combat into an extended period of counter-insurgency operations, the EA-6B community discovered a new role; providing direct Electronic Warfare coverage for the troops on the ground.
While all of the carrier-based Prowler squadrons supported the troops from the sea, some of us left the carrier and began to operate our squadrons from air bases across Iraq and Afghanistan. Although this new obligation meant that the small EA-6B community was stretched to its limit, it was done without complaint. We were saving lives and ensuring that more of the young Americans who had volunteered to serve their nation could return home when their job was done.
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Suggested Indie Bookstores:
Novel (Memphis, TN)
Powell’s Books (Portland, OR)
Parnassus Books (Nashville, TN)
Skylight Books (Los Angeles, CA)
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Rob’s Notes:
As a self-admitted naval aviation nerd, I have always loved reading and learning about naval aircraft and the stories of the aviators that flew them. The spotlight for naval aviation is usually stolen by fighter aircraft and pilots—think the F-14s of Top Gun and the F/A-18s of Top Gun: Maverick. However, fighter aircraft only make up a portion of a carrier air wing (the collection of aircraft that operate from an aircraft carrier). While I was familiar with the existence of the EA-6B Prowler, I never really understood its mission; I knew it engaged in electronic warfare, but what did that really mean?
I came across Cease Buzzer while looking for a new book to read, and the above description peaked my interest. It did not disappoint! Aside from learning about the the crucial role played by the EA-6B Prowler and its crew, this book also gave great insight into the life and career of a naval aviator. Throughout the book, J.P. Springett describes his path to earning his wings through flight school, his time in the fleet assigned to different squadrons, stories in the air from various conflicts, his explorations during shore leave while afloat, and the final tour of his naval career as commander of the Electronic Attack Wing of the Pacific Fleet.
Give Cease Buzzer a read if you want to learn more about naval aviation than what you see in Top Gun.
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Rob’s Current Read(s):
Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
Dune by Frank Herbert
