The Growlers provide the ability to "blind" Iranian defenses and, along with F-35C Lightning IIs and F/A-18E Super Hornets, form a key part of the Carrier Air Wing Nine offensive
Mar
17
U.S. Central Command Reveals EA-18G Growler Loadout for Air Defense Suppression in Operation Epic Fury
On March 17, 2026, U.S. Central Command released imagery depicting an EA-18G Growler configured with a distinctly combat-focused loadout during Operation Epic Fury, a campaign CENTCOM began on February 28 to target Iranian command nodes, air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, military airfields, and other imminent threats.
The image is notable for the insight it provides into the Growler’s external stores, offering a rare view of how the United States integrates electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, and air-combat self-protection within a high-intensity operational environment. Officially released by CENTCOM, the photograph extends beyond illustrating sortie activity, instead highlighting Washington’s emphasis on precision, persistence, and spectrum dominance in a campaign designed to systematically disrupt hostile military networks at scale.
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U.S. Central Command released a rare image of an EA-18G Growler in Operation Epic Fury, revealing a mixed electronic warfare loadout that highlights how the U.S. is executing sustained air defense suppression against Iranian targets (Picture Source: U.S. CENTCOM) |
AI OVERVIEW
Key Operational Details:
- Mission Role: The Growlers, described as the "indispensable ghost," are used to jam enemy radar and surface-to-air missile batteries to protect strike packages.
- Combat Loadout: Recent imagery shows a "mixed loadout" tailored for high-threat environments, including the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS), the new AN/ALQ-249 Next-Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB), along with AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAMs for self-defense.
- Operational Scope: As of mid-March 2026, the campaign has seen Growlers operating in the third week of operations, supporting strikes that have moved progressively further inland, necessitating continued SEAD support despite claims of early air superiority.
- Unit Participation: VAQ-133 "Wizards" (from NAS Whidbey Island) are operating off the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, while VAQ-142 "Gray Wolves" are operating from the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean.
The Growlers provide the ability to "blind" Iranian defenses and, along with F-35C Lightning IIs and F/A-18E Super Hornets, form a key part of the Carrier Air Wing Nine offensive, notes this Facebook post and this Youtube video
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