The U.S. Air Force (USAF) deployed its new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft in Europe for the first time, marking a milestone in the operational introduction of this platform to the European theater. The aircraft arrived on January 26 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as part of a scheduled tour aimed at showcasing the system to allied units and NATO personnel.
The EA-37B is assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, and its deployment in Europe represents the first stop of a roadshow that also includes visits to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. These activities are intended to familiarize allied forces with the new platform within the area of responsibility of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
Operational introduction of the EA-37B in the European theater
This marks the first time the EA-37B Compass Call has operated in the European theater, having previously conducted two similar tours in the Indo-Pacific region. According to the USAF, these visits support the gradual transition toward the aircraft’s initial operational capability, in parallel with the phased retirement of the EC-130H Compass Call fleet.
The EA-37B plays a central role in electromagnetic spectrum operations, an increasingly critical domain in modern warfare. Its primary missions include degrading and disrupting adversary communications, navigation, and weapons systems, as well as affecting enemy decision-making processes.
In this regard, Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Smith, Deputy Chief of Future Operations for U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa, emphasized that as the platform enters operational service, it “will provide decision-making dominance in all domains from here on.”
Capabilities and role in joint and allied operations
The inclusion of multiple air bases in this European deployment highlights the EA-37B’s flexibility and its ability to integrate into joint and coalition command structures. The aircraft is designed to serve as a key node in combined operations, supporting air, ground, and special operations forces.
Captain Tyler Laska, an EA-37B pilot with the 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, stated that “one of the most important aspects of success in a conflict is information superiority. Every moment of doubt we can instill in an adversary’s decision-making process increases the survivability of our men and women on the front lines across all domains.”
Background of the EA-37B Compass Call program
The EA-37B program has recorded significant progress in recent years. In August 2024, the USAF officially accepted the first aircraft of the type, based on the Gulfstream G550 airframe and modified by L3Harris, which was initially used for crew training.
International projection of the platform
International interest in the platform has also grown. In mid-2025, it was confirmed that the Italian Air Force would acquire two EA-37B aircraft, becoming the first U.S. ally to incorporate this electronic warfare system.
With this first deployment in Europe, the EA-37B Compass Call strengthens its position as one of the U.S. Air Force’s key electronic warfare assets at a time when control of the electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly decisive in modern military operations.
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