Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, sprint to an EA-18G Growler aircraft to trouble shoot a mechanical issue May 9, 2016, during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The primary mission of the flying unit is the suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

Aviation Electronic Technician Chief Christopher Fink, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, stands in the jet wash of an EA-18G Growler aircraft after supervising the launch of two jets for a sortie May 9, 2016, during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which requires maintainers to work around the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Neely, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, stands in the jet wash of an EA-18G Growler aircraft while preparing it for a sortie May 9, 2016, during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which requires maintainers to work around the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Gabrial Rodriguez, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, salutes an EA-18G Growler aircraft pilot preparing for a sortie May 9, 2016, during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Sorties for RF-A are flown in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, a more than 67,000 square mile area that provides a realistic training environment and allows commanders to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, watch over an EA-18G Growler aircraft while other May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. More than 40 Sailors from VAQ-137 are augmenting RF-A, a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise for U.S. and allied forces, to provide joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Gabrial Rodriguez, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, conducts pre-flight checks on an EA-18G Growler aircraft preparing for a sorties May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Sorties for RF-A are flown in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, a more than 67,000 square mile area that provides a realistic training environment and allows commanders to train for full spectrum engagements, ranging from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy pilots from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, speak to maintenance Sailors who keep the EA-18G Growler aircraft ready for sorties May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Pilots and maintenance crews work together to address discrepancies and fulfill the unit’s mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy pilots from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, transition to their EA-18G Growler aircraft for a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The primary mission of the flying unit is the suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Neely, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, tightens screws after finding one loose while inspecting panels on an EA-18G Growler aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which requires maintainers to work around the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Neely, from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspects rivets and panels on an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft logged more than 500 tactical flying hours during RF-A 16-1, which requires maintainers to work around the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

A U.S. Navy Sailor from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspects the landing gear on an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Without the expertise of maintenance Sailors, pilots from VAQ-137 wouldn’t be able to fulfill their mission to provide the best airborne electronic warfare from the sea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, inspect the engine exhaust of an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Without the expertise of maintenance Sailors, pilots from VAQ-137 wouldn’t be able to fulfill their mission to provide the best airborne electronic warfare from the sea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, discuss upcoming maintenance prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise for U.S. and allied forces, to provide joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, work preparing an EA-18G Growler aircraft for a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. More than 40 Sailors from VAQ-137 are augmenting RF-A, a Pacific Air Forces command directed field training exercise for U.S. and allied forces, to provide joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling in RF-A 16-1

U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, perform a foreign objects walk prior to a sortie May 9, 2016 during RED-FLAG-Alaska 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The Sailors walk their area of responsibility before each launch to provide safety to the pilots and prevent damage to aircraft engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

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Growling into RED FLAG-Alaska 16-1

Published May 17, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel
354th Fighter Wing Public Affiars

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- U.S. Navy Sailors from VAQ-137, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, sprint to an EA-18G Growler aircraft to trouble shoot a mechanical issue May 9, 2016, during RED-FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The primary mission of the flying unit is the suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel/Released)

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1

Growling in RF-A 16-1