Boeing EA-18G Growlers operated by US Navy electronic attack squadron VAQ-132 safely returned to their home base at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, on July 9, after completing 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, VAQ-132’s personnel and aircraft supported CENTCOM operations in Iraq before quickly transitioning to AFRICOM to conduct operations supporting NATO in Libya.

Additional EA-18Gs are deployed with electronic attack squadron VAQ-141 aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN77) aircraft carrier, marking the aircraft’s first sea-based deployment. VAQ-141 is expected to conduct support missions as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions.

“Boeing is honored to support the Navy and the service members operating and maintaining the new EA-18G Growler,” said Kory Mathews, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18 Programmes Vice President. “As we join the Navy in celebrating its first 100 years of aviation success, the service continues to achieve milestones that will stand out for decades to come.”

The EA-18G is the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability along with the targeting and self-defence capabilities derived from the Navy’s frontline fighter, the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet.