Posted on 11/05/2013 8:42:22 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
THE first pilot instructor for the RAAF's new Growler electronic warfare aircraft has started training in the United States.
Flight Lieutenant Sean Rutledge is stationed with the US Pacific Fleet Electronic Attack Wing at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state.
He will be qualified to instruct other RAAF aircrew on the operation of 12 EA-18G Growlers Australia is buying from the US.
During the next three years, six RAAF crews, each comprising a pilot and electronic warfare officer, will learn to fly Growlers at the US Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Wing Commander Paul Jarvis, deputy director of the RAAF Growler transition team, says Growler is a game changer for the RAAF.
It has a mix of capabilities and provides multiple options to commanders that increases their lethal capability, he said.
Growler is the electronic warfare variant of the Super Hornet, with the ability to monitor and jam hostile radars and even mobile phone systems.
Wing Commander Jarvis said training in the US was essential to establishing a credible airborne electronic attack capability.
"We've started early as there is an awful lot to learn between now and when we begin flying our own EA-18Gs in 2017," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Flight Lieutenant Rutledge believes his previous flying experience in F-111s and Super Hornets will help his transition to the Growler.
I’m cracking up over the name, because Dennis Miller calls particularly strenuous bowel movements “growlers”.
In case you don't believe me.
I see those on occasion when the Navy is tdy and sharing our ramp, they actually look pretty badass with all their pods and external tanks.
Aviation ping.
Oh jeez... the placement of those 3 lightning bolts on that patch matching the 3-finger “shocker” hand sign is not a coincidence, I think. Someone in the art department had a good laugh over that one.
VAQ-129 in in Whidbey Island...
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First looks can deceive.
I thought this was about brew pub growlers.
I don't believe the Aussies require any training in anything to do with a pub.
Here at the Jersey shore we’ll hear them off shore as we do the others..
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