US Growler Aircraft To Train With Filipino FA-50 Aircraft Pilots

The Philippines’ longtime ally deployed the aircraft to train Filipino pilots as Manila remains locked in an increasingly tense maritime dispute with Beijing.

The first temporary detachment of four U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft and 120 personnel assigned to the VAQ 138 expeditionary squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington arrived at Clark Air Base Wednesday, June 15.

The agreement does not allow the U.S.to control its own bases on Philippine soil, as it did with Clark Air Base and Naval Base Subic Bay until the early 1990s.

The latest detachment is part of an air contingent established by the U.S. Pacific Command in April to promote interoperability and security cooperation, the 7th Fleet said.

The Growler aircraft will also perform routine operations to enhance regional maritime domain awareness and assure that there is access to air and maritime domains in accordance with global law.

VAQ-138 is in Kunsan participating in Max Thunder, an exercise that integrates US and Republic of Korea forces to train for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations.

The announcement comes amid widespread expectation of a ruling soon by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague on the case filed by Manila, challenging Beijing’s unilateral imposition of its “9-dash line” that claims 90 percent of the disputed sea and overlaps the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines and other claimants Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Any training done by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with its American counterparts is geared towards inter-operability and familiariazation between the aircrews of the two nations, most especially the pilots of the brand-new South Korean-made FA-50PHs “Fighting Eagle” light-interim fighter jet aircraft.

The EA-18G Growler electronic warfare version is a derivative of the F/A-18F Block II that removes the internal gun, adds electronics within the aircraft to help it detect and jam enemy radars, and mounts four specialized ECM (Electronic CounterMeasures) pods under the wings.

Analysts say that in the event of a crisis, a deployment of weapons such as missile batteries to a reclaimed area of the shoal could put at risk not only the Philippine military, but also US forces in the country.

Clark Air Base, the home of the FA-50s and its pilots in training, offered to host the USA contingent.

Recently, China has been aggressive in its various activities in the disputed territories along the South China Sea.