Air Force EWO graduates from Navy Growler training

  • Published
  • By SSgt Gina Chiaverotti-Paige
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  An Air Force electronic warfare officer from the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron became the first Air Force EWO to graduate from the Navy EA-18G Growler training June 28 after 10 months of rigorous training.

The 390th "Wild Boars" are attached to the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

"Capt. Cole Davenport's first training sortie was Sept. 7, 2010," said Maj. Don Keen, 390th ECS Director of Operations. "It marked the beginning of a transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler for the 390th ECS, and continues the Navy and Air Force cooperation in the Joint Electronic Attack arena."

Captain Davenport said it was his honor to have this opportunity, and that it has been great working with the Navy.

The Air Force has worked with the Navy for 16 years since the EF-111 Raven was retired and left the Air Force with no fighter type electronic warfare aircraft other than the EC-130H Compass Call. It is with the Navy's EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler that Air Force electronic warfare officers can gain knowledge and better prepare for the future.

"The Navy gives us a really hard time about being in the Air Force and they pick on us for some of the ways we talk, and some of the things we do," said Capt. Davenport, who has been serving for seven years. "But, they are a joy to fly with and they are very professional. Flying in the Growler is an awesome opportunity."

During the extensive training, students learn the basics of the aircraft; emergency procedures inside a simulator, and perform familiarization flights.

"They'll start with the academics about all the different aircraft systems, and then go to the simulator to start practicing what they've learned," said Maj. Martin Rann, an EA-6B Prowler instructor, Fixed Wing Electronic Attack Squadron 129. "As their training progresses they may have academics in the morning, a flight in the afternoon, or even two flights a day."

During the air-to-air portion of training, students learn basic fighter maneuvers similar to "dog-fighting," air combat maneuvering, intercepts and finally electronic warfare.

The students are taught to locate and jam emitters, radar systems and other communications, as well as how to employ anti-radiation missiles designed to go after any radars that are radiating, said Maj. Rann.

After completing training, personnel are spread out amongst five EA-6B Prowler carrier squadrons. There will also be Air Force officers in the expeditionary EA-18G Growler squadrons later this summer.

"I look forward to joining the fleet and going out and employing with the Air Force, Navy and Marines and actually getting to go out and do the mission," said Capt. Davenport.

The 390th ECS has 18 personnel with weapon systems backgrounds from current and previous officers that consist of F-111, EF-111, F-4G, F-15E, F-15C, F-16, A-10, B-1, B-52, RC-135, EC-130, AC-130, U-2 and RQ-1 aircraft.

"A lot of people know the Air Force is here," said Capt. Alain Martinez, EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare officer, Fixed Wing Electronic Attack Squadron 140. "But when they see us flying the aircraft, a lot of the people are surprised and impressed that we are supporting the Navy, Marines, and the electronic attack arena."

After completing a three-year tour, Air Force personnel return to their designated aircraft and continue to pass the wealth of knowledge received in the joint environment.

"The men and women we have here at the 390th are truly unique in the aspect that they understand the joint nature of today's fight," said Lt. Col. Karl Fischbach, 390th ECS commander. "We deploy and fight as a joint team, and the young captains, even lieutenants, experience that on a daily basis here with the Navy. It truly is a joint team, joint mission area, and these guys really understand that and develop as Airmen and electronic warfare officers. They can bring a lot back to the Air Force."