Growlers to Spangdahlem
On 28 March 2022, six US Navy Boeing EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 Garudas ('NL-53x') arrived at Spangdahlem air base (Germany).
VAQ-134 is one of the five squadrons that are part of the Joint Expeditionary Squadron and are based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island (WA).
It has not been reported how long electronic warfare aircraft will stay at Spangdahlem. According to the Pentagon Press Secretary, the aircraft will not be used to target Russian forces in Ukraine with jamming, but will be used to reinforce security in eastern Europe.
VAQ-134 was originally established on 7 June 1969 at NAS Alameda (CA), flying the EKA-3B electronic warfare/tanker and KA-3B tanker Skywarriors. In 1972, the squadron received the Grumman EA-6B Prowler and became the Navy's third operational Prowler squadron. The transition to the Growler came in 2016 and after this, VAQ-134 deployed to Pacific as an expeditionary squadron.
The aircraft arrived under call sign Mazda41-43 and Mazda51-53. During the transatlantic flight they were accompanied by two KC-10A Extenders (call sign Gold91 and Gold93). The tankers landed at Prestwick airport.
The following Growlers arrived at Spangdahlem:
Photo by Ivan Voukadinov