Close×

Philip Smart | Adelaide

 

The first five Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircrew personnel slated to fly the Boeing EA-18G electronic attack aircraft in Australian service have graduated from basic training at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the United States.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, the U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growler Fleet Replacement Squadron, graduated the Australians in a ceremony on February 27.

Whidbey Island is near Seattle on the US northwest coast.

The EA-18G Growler is an airborne electronic attack aircraft based on the Boeing F-18 Hornet airframe, capable of providing electronic warfare support by disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.

Australia is the first foreign customer for the EA-18G, acquiring 12 to join 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, with delivery expected in 2017 and Initial Operating Capability in 2018.

The five RAAF aircrew will be assigned to U.S. Navy expeditionary units for approximately two years, deploying and operating the EA-18G under the Personnel Exchange Program. One of the five graduates is already deployed in the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.

"The RAAF aircrew are truly outstanding in the air and have proven to be highly-capable officers,” said Capt. Darryl Walker, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The RAAF personnel addition to our expeditionary force is a win-win for both countries."

"Training with CVWP (Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet) is essential to our ability to establish a credible AEA (airborne electronic attack) capability," said RAAF Wing Commander Paul Jarvis, acting director, EA-18G Growler Transition.

"We've started early as there is an awful lot to learn between now and when we begin flying our own EA-18Gs in 2017. The support that we have had from the U.S. Navy, particularly from Capt.

Walker and his team here at NAS Whidbey Island, has been truly magnificent."

comments powered by Disqus