Pentagon Deploys Navy Fighters To Bolster NATO Defense

The EA-18G Growler is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. [Courtesy: U.S. Navy]

The U.S. Navy deployed six EA-18G Growlers specialized in electronic warfare missions and about 240 personnel to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany on Monday to "enhance NATO's collective defense posture," a Pentagon spokesperson said.

"They'll be based in Germany, but you can expect that they'll be flying missions in support of eastern flank deterrence and defense."
A senior defense official

The deployment comes as U.S. defense observers report that Russia has launched more than 1,370 missiles into Ukraine in 33 days of war.

The Growler deployments are not in response to a perceived threat and will not be used against Russian forces in Ukraine, according to defense officials.

"They'll be based in Germany, but you can expect that they'll be flying missions in support of eastern flank deterrence and defense," a senior defense official said Monday.

"The purpose of this deployment is to bolster readiness, enhance NATO's collective defense posture and further increase air integration capabilities with our allied and partner nations," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said Monday. "They are being deployed completely in keeping with our efforts to bolster NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities along that eastern flank.”

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The aircraft are assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ)134 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

"These Growlers are equipped for a variety of missions but they 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. "They will be accompanied by about 240 air crew, aircraft maintainers, and pilots."

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an F/A-18 variant that integrates electronic attack technology including tactical jamming pods and communication countermeasures.