Footage is from deployment in 2015-2016 to the Arabian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The video in this post comes from U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 140 (VAQ-140).
Based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, the squadron’s last deployment took the “Patriots” to the east coast on the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75). This was the ship’s and Airwing 7’s first deployment supporting Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), with targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of a comprehensive strategy to defeat the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The VAQ-140 “Patriots” fly the EA-18G Growler. Based off of the F/A-18F, the most noticeable difference with the Super Hornet are the wingtip pods housing the ALQ-218 signals receiver suite, which helps to detect and geolocate emitters and signals.
The aircraft carry the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System underneath the wings instead of bombs carried by conventional fighters. These jamming pods delay, degrade and deny the enemy’s use of the electromagnetic spectrum. Controlling what information and communication is available provides an immense tactical advantage on the battlefield and enables Coalition forces to carry out their missions with impunity.
The Growler is also capable of carrying the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile); these weapons are designed to seek out threat weapons systems and emitters, guiding on their energy, and destroy them.
Many thanks to Christian Long and the “Patriots” for sending this over to us!
More from The Aviationist
C-130 Test Pilot Achieves a Whopping 10,000 Flight Hours
10,000 flight hours in the C-130: the most hours ever recorded by…
JASDF Fighter Squadron Revives its Retired F-4 Phantoms’ Colored Tail Markings on its F-35A
The 302nd Squadron chose a local species of eagle as its mascot,…
Rare Russian-Made, U.S.-Operated Mi-17 Helicopter Spotted in South Carolina
A number of Mi-17 helicopters are believed to be operated by the…
Insane Videos Show The Moment A Russian S-70 UCAV Is Shot Down by Russian Fighter Jet Over Ukraine
Clips show what is believed to be a Russian Su-57 shooting down…
China’s Liaoning Carrier Clocks 630 Aircraft Sorties, Appears in New Locations in Western Pacific – Japan MoD
Japan’s Joint Staff marked spots in the Pacific waters east of the…