The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is primarily provided by Northrop Grumman. The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009. Australia has also purchased twelve EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017.

On November 15th, 2001, Boeing successfully completed an initial flight demonstration of F/A-18F "F-1" fitted with the ALQ-99 electronic warfare system to serve as the EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) concept aircraft. In December 2003, the US Navy awarded a development contract for the EA-18G to Boeing. As primary contractor, Boeing was to construct the forward fuselage, wings and perform the final assembly. Northrop Grumman was the principal air frame subcontractor and they would supply the center and aft fuselage as well as the principal electronic combat system. In 2003, the Navy expected to receive 90 EA-18Gs.

The first EA-18G test aircraft entered production on October 22nd, 2004. The first test aircraft, known as EA-1, was rolled out on August 3rd, 2006, before making its maiden flight at St. Louis on August 15th, 2006; it was later ferried to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 22 September 2006. EA-1 primarily supports ground testing in the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF) anechoic chamber.

The second aircraft (EA-2) first flew on November 10th, 2006, and was delivered to NAS Patuxent River on November 29th, 2006. EA-2 is an AEA flight test aircraft, initially flying on Pax River's Atlantic Test Range (ATR) for developmental test of the AEA system before transitioning to the Electronic Combat Range (ECR, or 'Echo Range') in Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California. Both aircraft are assigned to VX-23 "Salty Dogs". EA-1 and EA-2 are F/A-18Fs F-134 and F-135, pulled from the St. Louis production line and modified by Boeing to the EA-18G configuration. However, since they were not built initially as Growlers, the Navy has designated these two test aircraft as NEA-18Gs. There were five Growlers flying in the flight test program as of June 2008

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft that was attached to VAQ-138 "Yellow Jackets", then deployed to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, during 2018. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: June 2023

Historical Account: "Yellow Jackets" - Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138), also known as the "Yellow Jackets", is an expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. Their radio call sign is "RAMPAGE". VAQ-138's mission: to provide worldwide deployable Airborne Electronic Attack capabilities to deny, degrade, or destroy the enemy's use of electromagnetic spectrum in support of Joint or Coalition Forces, and U.S. National Interests.

Following their 2009 cruise on board USS John C. Stennis, the squadron began transitioning to the EA-18G Growler. They were certified 'Safe for Flight' in their new aircraft in August 2010.

VAQ-138 deployed to land bases, from June to December 23rd, 2011, they were based at Al Asad AB, Iraq. From August 2014 to February 8th, 2015, they were based at Misawa AFB, Japan, and again from April to October 2016. While deployed to Misawa AFB in 2016, VAQ-138 sent a detachment to Clark AB, Philippines from June to July, followed by another detachment sent to Andersen AFB, Guam from July to August to participate in Exercise VALIENT SHIELD.

In January of 2017, VAQ-138 flew to Nellis AFB, Nevada, to take part in RED FLAG 17-1 in preparation for a PACOM deployment starting in March. From March to October, VAQ-138 was stationed in Misawa, Japan with detachments participating in joint exercises in South Korea and the Philippines.

Starting in March of 2018, the cycle begins again with VAQ-138 flying to Nellis AFB, Nevada, for RED FLAG 18-2. From May to December, the Rampaging Yellow Jackets once again found themselves stationed at Misawa, Japan for one of their most busy deployments yet by participating in the following exercises: MALABAR (Guam), THROWING KNIVES (Japan), NUDAY HUNTER (Guam), VALIENT SHIELD (Guam), PACIFIC THUNDER (South Korea), and KEEN SWORD (Japan).

After finishing the 2018 deployment, 2019's training cycle started in February for the squadron's first trip to NAS Fallon for a missile shoot. The next trip to Fallon lasted just shy of two weeks, beginning March 31st; the final trip to Fallon occurred in mid June, also for two weeks. In between the detachments, three times throughout 2019, VAQ-138 supported GTI operations in Fallon. The final detachment took the Rampaging Yellow Jackets up to Eielson AFB, Alaska, for a red flag integration exercise with various platforms from the United States Air Force. In October 2019, VAQ-138 was sent West, back to Misawa AFB, Japan, in support of Seventh Fleet and national tasking requirements. While on detachment, the Yellow Jackets seized the opportunity to partner with the esteemed F-16 "Wild Weasels" of the 13th Fighter Squadron to accomplish unique training opportunities, increasing joint capabilities.

Towards the end of January 2019, while still stationed at Misawa AFB, a detachment was sent to Andersen AFB, Guam, to participate in Cope North for five weeks. At Cope North, VAQ-138 integrated with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), United States Air Force (USAF), and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) assets to conduct multiple simulated large force strike. By the end of April, VAQ-138 and completed their mission and returned home to Whidbey Island, Washington. Later that year, the squadron played a roll in Gunfighter Flag: a multi-branch/international integration exercise at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to practice SEAD (suppression of enemy air defenses). The highlight of 2020 for VAQ-138 took place in September, as the squadron made base history: becoming the first squadron to execute a high-speed anti-radiation missile (HARM) shoot from home base NASWI.