US deploys six EA-18G Growler aircraft to Germany to strengthen NATO’s defense

Europe, News, US March 29, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Six U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft are on their way to Europe and are expected to arrive in Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Department of Defense Press Secretary John Kirby announced on March 28.

“This is in order to bolster readiness, enhance NATO’s collective defense posture and further increase air integration capabilities with our allied and partner nations. These Growlers … are equipped for a variety of missions. But they do specialize in flying electronic warfare missions, using a suite of jamming sensors to confuse enemy radars, greatly aiding in the ability to conduct suppression of enemy air defense operations,” Kirby said.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kirby stated that “About 240 Navy personnel, including maintainers and pilots, will accompany the aircraft to Germany. Those aircraft will remain based in Germany and are expected to fly missions in support of eastern flank deterrence and defense, Kirby added.

Kirby highlighted that the aircraft are not being deployed “to be used against Russian forces in Ukraine,” and clarified that “They are being deployed completely in keeping with our efforts to bolster NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities along that eastern flank.”

*^{EA-18G Growler Air to Air, VAQ-138 from NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Boeing)}*

The Pentagon press secretary also stated there was no specific threat or incident that drove the decision to send the aircraft to Germany. “They are being deployed, as we have said all along, [because] the secretary wants to keep options open,” Kirby said. “He’s in constant consultations with [Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe]. And as a result of discussions with Gen. Wolters, as well as the German government, this was deemed to be an additional move that could continue to bolster and reinforce our defenses on the eastern flank,” he added.

According to the Pentagon statement, U.S. Navy’s six aircraft are from VAQ 134, an electronic attack squadron also known as the “Garudas.” The Boeing EA-18G Growler is the most advanced airborne electronic attack aircraft. It is a specialized variant of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet.

The EA-18G Growler integrates the latest electronic attack technology, including the ALQ-218 receiver, ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods, ALQ-227 Communication Countermeasures Set and Joint Tactical Terminal — Receiver satellite communications, according to a Navy fact sheet.

^{A Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to the “Garudas” Electronic Attack Squadron, VAQ 134, at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, flies over the flightline at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 4, 2021. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force/ Senior Airman Adriana Barrientos)}

The Department of Defense release quoted U.S. Navy Captain Christopher M. Bahner, who serves as commander of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, as saying that “the team from VAQ-134 is prepared to carry out whatever mission is asked of them while in Germany.”

“I am extremely proud of the men and women in VAQ-134. The Garuda’s have performed exceptionally well during their planned work-up cycle and stand ready to support U.S. expeditionary and allied task forces in Europe. Expeditionary EA-18G squadrons integrate with joint and coalition forces to provide our commanders capabilities to defend our forces in all potential phases of operation, while allowing our Carrier Air Wing EA-18G squadrons to remain at sea, defending freedom of navigation with our carrier strike group teams,” Captain Bahner said.