On 28 March 2022, six Boeing EA-18G Growlers assigned to Naval Expeditionary Squadron VAQ-134 “Garudas” deployed to Spangdahlem Air Base with the purpose of bolstering readiness, enhancing NATO’s collective defensive posture and further increasing air integration capabilities with allied and partner nations.

The squadron has since been operating to support the European mission and has been working with the U.S. Air Force and NATO Forces with the purpose of adding Electronic Warfare capability training with the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) counterparts and NATO allied nations. The EA-18Gs have been operating continuously and are also involved in operational missions throughout the weekend. Patrick Roegies, Ben Gorski and Jurgen van Toor visited Spangdahlem Air Base to assess the experiences and lessons learned throughout the six-month deployment.

The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye has proven to be a very reliable Early Warning platform for the United States Navy over the past decades. The current versions of the Hawkeye, the E-2C and the E-2C-2000, became operational in 1973, and surpassed one million flight hours already in August 2004. The aircraft has undergone several upgrades to its active and passive sensors, engines and propellers. The current latest E-2C variant, the Hawkeye 2000 with its new mission computer, improved radar displays and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), combined with the shipboard Aegis weapon system, currently forms the cornerstone of today’s sea-based Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).

With special courtesy to CDR Jason Fox Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing Chief Staff Officer & Vance Vasquez Public Affairs office NAS Point Mugu