A contingent consisting of six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft of the United States Navy (US Navy) has been deployed for several days at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, as part of Operation Southern Spear. The deployment represents a new and significant expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and adds to other air and naval capabilities that Washington has been concentrating in the region in recent weeks.
The EA-18G Growlers are specialized in conducting electronic warfare missions and have the capability to suppress enemy air defenses. Their arrival in Puerto Rico positions them as a key support asset for air operations currently underway, including those that may require penetrating or neutralizing air defense systems in order to protect stand-off strike platforms and ensure the success of attacks against targets through the use of guided munitions launched from outside the range of defenses.
Electronic warfare capabilities
In addition to escorting combat aircraft or supporting precision strikes, the EA-18G “Growler” can provide electronic coverage in special operations forces insertion and extraction missions, combat search and rescue, and other complex air operations. In scenarios such as the Venezuelan one, these capabilities take on particular relevance due to the existence of an air defense network that presents different levels of threat, a factor that U.S. military planners must consider in any future operation.
The deployment began to take shape in early December, during the week of December 8, when flight-tracking data and open sources indicated that U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft were escorting a group of Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in the state of Washington, to the Caribbean. Subsequently, videos circulated on social media showed these aircraft landing at Roosevelt Roads, also known as José Aponte de la Torre Airport. An image visually confirmed that these were EA-18G aircraft belonging to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-132.
NGJ-MB systems
Some of the deployed aircraft carry under their wings the new AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer – Mid Band (NGJ-MB) electronic warfare pods, while others remain equipped with the older AN/ALQ-99 systems. This combination is common during the transition process between the two systems.
According to a report by the Pentagon’s Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the NGJ-MB offers “greater jamming capability at higher power and longer range than the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jammer system, as well as the ability to rapidly upgrade hardware and software to counter rapidly evolving threats.” In a previous report, the same office explained that the new pod “is designed to improve the EA-18G’s capabilities against modern and advanced radiofrequency threats, communications, data links, and non-traditional RF targets.”
The Growler’s electronic warfare capabilities also allow for the collection of electronic intelligence, information that is used to develop electronic orders of battle and map air defense networks and communications nodes, key elements in the planning of future air operations.
Integration with other forces in the Caribbean
The EA-18G can also employ AGM-88 family anti-radiation missiles to directly attack radars and air defense systems, and carry AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for self-defense. These capabilities are not directly aligned with the counternarcotics interdiction missions that gave rise to Operation Southern Spear, which to date have focused on operations against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, reinforcing the perception of an expansion of the mission’s operational scope.
This new deployment adds to the prior presence of EA-18Gs from Squadron VAQ-142, embarked since November aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Considering that a typical Growler squadron has between five and seven aircraft, the number of aircraft of this type in the region has practically doubled. Added to this is the regular operation of U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighters from Puerto Rico, F/A-18 Super Hornets that conducted overflights over the Gulf of Venezuela between December 8 and 9, and the presence of approximately 15,000 U.S. military personnel deployed at various points across the Caribbean, including special operations components.
Air reinforcement with USAF F-35A
In parallel, the United States confirmed the upcoming deployment of stealth F-35A fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard. A U.S. official indicated that aircraft from the 158th Fighter Wing will be sent to the Caribbean, although no specific dates or locations were provided. Local media reported that the unit has already received federal mobilization orders.
Lt. Col. Meghan Smith confirmed on Wednesday, December 10, that the 158th Fighter Wing “has received a federal mobilization order.” The officer added: “While we cannot discuss specific timelines or locations, our airmen train continuously to ensure they are prepared to support federal and state missions when and where needed.”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott said he did not have detailed information about the mission: “The Pentagon issued the mobilization orders under Title 10. There’s not much I can share because I don’t know much about the mission.”
The eventual arrival of the F-35A, the first U.S. Air Force tactical fighters deployed to the Caribbean, would expand the strike capability and operational reach of U.S. forces, complementing the F-35Bs already present in Puerto Rico.
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