EA-18 Growler is the military denomination with which it is known the F-18 aircraft of the United States Navy used for electronic attack and one of the squadrons participating in Red Flag 2019-2, with which the Colombian Air Force operates, conducting refueling training in flight, through the KC-767 tanker aircraft at the base of Nellis, in Nevada.
One of the roles played by these powerful Combat Aircraft in this exercise is that of SEAD, Supression of Enemy’s Air Defense, with the KC-767 ER MMTT 'Jupiter' (Extended Range Multi Mission Transport Tanker - 767), a strategic ally to achieve greater scope and autonomy in combined operations under NATO standards, since they have a compatible system of air refueling, which helps them to be receivers in any real operation that may occur .
Colonel Chris Nasset, Commander of the EA-18 Growler Squadron said: "The ability to operate with NATO allies and the coalition in a training environment, helps to make things step by step and in the same way focus on tactics, since for example, in the case of communications, we must overcome frontiers, cultural and language challenges. At Red Flag we have achieved this, we overcome these obstacles and we have achieved very positive effects, which will facilitate communications in case of real operations".
In Red Flag 19-2 20 squadrons participate, where there are aircrafts from different countries type F-15, F-16, F-18 and F-35, each with different roles, fulfilling specific missions in the simulation of a war of Fifth generation, where the "attack - defense" confrontation has been conducted with the traditional use of military weaponry, going on to inter operation based on strategies and technology, aimed at suppressing the enemy's electromagnetic spectrum, achieving decisive advantages and achieving the objectives.
That is Red Flag, where the Colombian Air Force, measures its capabilities and strengthens interoperability with the most skillful and powerful air forces in the world, demonstrating its level in case of a reality that is not new to it and for which Colombia, today is a NATO Global Partner country.
Source: Colombian Air Force
