To the Front Line:Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Units Deployed for Eastern Flank Missions

A number of US Navy and US Marine Corps aviation units have been deployed this week for defence and deterrence missions along NATO'S Eastern Flank,which are deemed critical in light of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.These include 200 Marines from Air Control Group 28 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina who had recently participated in NATO Exercise Cold Response 22,which emphasised the defence of Norway.Another 200 Marines and their 10 legacy F/A-18 C/D Hornets and two KC-130J Hercules tankers out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort,South Carolina will also soon deploy to an unspecified location in Eastern Europe. The Marine aviators are from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2 MAW),II Marine Expeditionary Force.MAC 28 provides multi-domain Command and Control;air defence;air traffic control;and communications support.The Lockheed Martin C-130 J tankers are from Aerial Refueling Training Squadron 252.* For its part,the US Navy deployed six EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare jets to Spangdahlem Air Base,Germany,along with about 240 personnel,including pilots and maintainers.These will enhance NATO'S collective defence posture,the Pentagon said.They will fly missions in support of Eastern Flank deterrence and defence,but not engage with Russian forces in Ukraine.Rather,they will further increase our air integration capabilties with our Allied and Partner nations,according to spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired.The Growlers are part of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,Washington State.Growlers use a suite of jamming sensors to confuse enemy radars,greatly aiding in the ability to conduct supression of enemy air defence operations.The Boeing aircraft feature tactical jamming pods and communications countermeasures. Describing the deployments,Mr.Kirby said: It's about options.It's about capabilities and making sure we've got the right capabilities.* The Growlers are armed with two Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles or two Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for self-defence.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT),Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTN)