Boeing EA-18G Growlers have successfully completed an eight-month deployment that included combat operations in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) areas of responsibility.

During the deployment, the US Navy electronic attack squadron VAQ-132 used the Growlers to support CENTCOM operations in Iraq and AFRICOM to conduct operations supporting Nato in Libya.

The EA-18G is the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability along with targeting and self-defence capabilities.

The aircraft, a derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F block II Super Hornet, enables warfighters to operate either from the deck of an aircraft carrier or from land-based airfields.

The Growler has replaced the navy’s current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler aircraft.