‘Shadow Hawks’ Growlers to Forward Deploy to Japan

The US Navy is to replace its forward deployed EA-6B Prowlers at NAF Atsugi, Japan, with E/A-18G Growlers from spring 2012.


US NAVY officials announced on February 3 that the Navy’s newest electronic warfare aircraft will shortly become part of the forward deployed naval forces (FDNF), operating out of Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan. The Navy is mindful of operations affecting the Atsugi community and places great emphasis on working closely with its neighbours in Japan.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 ‘Shadow Hawks’, which flies the EA-18G Growler, will replace VAQ-136 ‘Gauntlets’, which flies the EA-6B Prowler, at NAF Atsugi. The Navy is transitioning its VAQs from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler due to the Prowlers end of service life. As part of the FDNF, the Shadow Hawks will be assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. The Growlers are expected to arrive in Japan in early spring 2012.


The Gauntlets’ EA-6Bs will move to Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Washington., for transition to the EA-18G. Upon completion of this turnover, CVW-5 will have four Super Hornet strike-fighter squadrons and one Growler electronic attack squadron, making it the Navy’s most capable CVW.

The Growler is a variant of the F/A-18 family that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. The aircraft retains all the F/A-18F’s performance with its validated platform and includes the latest electronic warfare technology that provide the Growler the capability to perform a wide range of airborne electronic surveillance, defense and attack missions against enemy radar and communications networks.

The transition to a forward deployed unit is called an overseas force structure change (OFSC). This OFSC is part of the Navy’s long range FDNF plan to rotate newer and more capable units forward. Increasing FDNF capability supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region