U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

U.S. Navy Lt. Hannah Elliott, Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) pilot, conducts pre-flight inspections on an EA-18G Growler during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3 on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2024. RF-A is a U.S. Pacific Air Forces directed field training exercise for U.S. and international forces flown under simulated air combat conditions. It is conducted in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC), with air operations flown primarily out of Eielson and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

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U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Gattmann, Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) pilot, right, fist bumps U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate Airman Ayden Nuttbrock, an Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) plane captain, left, during Red Flag Alaska 24-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2024. RF-A reinforces the United States’ continued commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

U.S. Navy Sailors, from the Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) “Black Ravens,” stand prepared to perform any specialty maintenance needed for an EA-18G Growler, during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2024. This exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint and combined training from simulated forward operating bases.

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U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler pilots, from the Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) “Black Ravens,” prepare for take-off during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3 and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2024. Flying sorties are conducted over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex airspace, which covers more than 77,000 square miles and provides a realistic training environment, allowing Airmen to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements.

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U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

A U.S. Navy maintainer, assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) “Black Ravens,” prepares an EA-18G Growler for take-off during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 19, 2024. RF-A provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint and combined training from simulated forward operating bases.

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U.S. Navy Preps EA-18G Growler for takeoff during Red Flag-Alaska 24-3

Published Aug. 22, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --

The Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) "Black Ravens" is a U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron currently operating the EA-18G Growler which represents the most advanced technology in airborne electronic attack and stands as the Navy's first line of defense in hostile environments. During Red Flag-Alaska and other exercises the Growler provides electronic attacks or electronic coverage for jamming for fighter squadrons.