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| US Navy EA-18G Growler Arrives in Australia |
RAAF Base Amberley is playing host to three United States Navy (USN) EA-18G Growler aircraft visiting Australia for the first time.
The Growler aircraft, from the USN’s Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 (known as the 'Scorpions') based at Oak Harbor in Washington, arrived on 28 September to participate in Exercise Growler 12.
In a media day at Amberley on October 5, Defence Minister Stephen Smith, Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare and Chief of Air Force AIRMSHL Geoff Brown officially welcomed the USN visitors.
“The US Navy are regular visitors to Australia as part of longstanding aircraft cooperation arrangements between Australia and the United States, however this is the first visit for the EA-18G Growler aircraft,” Mr Smith said.
“The USN EA-18G Growler visit will allow the Australia Defence Force to learn more about how the capability works alongside our F/A-18F Super Hornets.”
The Growlers are working with the RAAF’s Super Hornets during the bilateral Airborne Electronic Attack exercise, which began on October 1 and is due to finish on October 20.
Operating out of Amberley, Exercise Growler training missions are focusing on real-world proficiency in Airborne Electronic Attack employment and integration.
OC 82WG GPCAPT Geoff Harland said it is providing a valuable training opportunity for the RAAF’s Super Hornets.
“We already work closely with the US on operations, and our future use of the EA-18G Growler capability will only improve that cooperation,” he said.
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| CGI of Australia's future EA-18G Growler |
“The EA-18G Growler capability will provide Australia with an ability to disrupt or jam a range of military electronics systems, including radars and communications systems.
“The capability will provide protection for Australian Defence personnel and assets, and the USN EA-18G Growler visit will allow us to learn more about how the capability works alongside our F/A-18F Super Hornets.”