This summer, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers joined B-1 bombers in the skies
around Ellsworth Air Force Base for electronic attack training in June,
and now again July 11 through 22, 2016. This marked the first time the
Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 129, stationed at Naval Air
Station Whidbey Island, Washington, traveled to Ellsworth to conduct
training in its local airspace. |
Navy
pilots and electronic warfare officers utilized the unique components
of the Powder River Training Complex airspace to help accomplish its
role as the fleet replenishment squadron for the EA-18G.
“We are one of two aircraft in the U.S. military inventory that
is capable of accomplishing the electronic attack role,” said
Navy Lt. Matthew Galamison, an EA-18G Growler instructor. “It’s
very important that our aircrew get the training and range that they
need with the proper emitters in order to practice against threats that
are out there.”
Part of the Growler’s mission in combat is to deny, degrade or
delay the enemies’ ability to acquire and engage friendly air
forces and also give bombers or fighters access to those targeted areas,
said Matt. During the EA-18G’s time at Ellsworth, B-1 bombers
will be able to join the Navy aircraft to train to these sort of mission
sets.
The lethality of worldwide anti-access and area-denial capabilities
and the need to operate in a contested electromagnetic spectrum shows
the necessity for electronic warfare missions.
“This training is unique,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Allen
Geist, 390th Electronic Combat Squadron commander. “The Growler
community is the one community that strategically looks at using electronic
warfare, an ability that allows our aircraft to access denied environments.”
VAQ-129 has the distinct role of providing airborne electronic attack
training for both the Air Force and Navy. Its home station, NAS Whidbey
Island, also hosts the 390th ECS, the Air Force’s sole AEA unit
at NASWI, as part of the Joint Airborne Electronic Attack Program. The
390th ECS is a geographically separated unit of the 366th Operations
Group out of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.
Historically, the Air Force had its own dedicated electronic warfare
aircraft that flew escort for large strike packages. They would crack
open bristling networks of search-and-track radars, surface-to-air missiles,
and anti-aircraft artillery batteries, collectively known as integrated
air defenses.
In 1995, after the AF divested is AEA aircraft, the Office of the Secretary
of Defense directed electronic warfare Airmen be embedded with the Navy’s
EA-6B Prowlers, and now EA-18G Growlers. Under a memorandum of understanding
between the Air Force and Navy, select Air Force EWOs and pilots continue
to embed on Navy EW missions through a competitive exchange program.
“The Air Force has always been interested in maintaining a knowledge
of airborne electronic attack,” Matt said. “There are more
capable threats with new tactics emerging, which is why the exchange
program between the Air Force and Navy exist so both B-1 and F-15 aircrew
can come to Whidbey for one to a couple of years to learn how airborne
electronic attack operates.”
Matt added with the exchange program, Air Force aircrews can take the
knowledge they have learned on AEA and bring it back to the Air Force
to make integration of other aircrews easier during large force exercises,
such as those held in the PRTC.
“The great thing about coming out to Ellsworth to use the Powder
River Training Complex is its size and threat emitters that we can utilize,”
said Geist, a former B-1 weapon systems officer himself. “It gives
us a great training opportunity and definitely builds the foundation
for the electronic weapons officers to have the expertise to take down
enemy integrated air defense systems.” |
A B-1 bomber and EA-18G Growler bank to the left during a training sortie
near Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., July 15, 2016. The training focused
on further improving joint mission tactics between Air Force and Naval
forces. (Courtesy Photo/Released)