Capt. Cole Davenport became the first Air Force electronic warfare officer to graduate from the Navy’s 10-month-long training course for the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. “Flying in the Growler is an awesome opportunity,” said Davenport, who is a member of the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron at Whidbey Island, which is a component of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. He added, “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.” Air Force EWOs have been embedded with Navy expeditionary EA-6B Prowler units for well over a decade and, starting this summer, will be part of the sea service’s new EA-18G squadrons. Davenport graduated on June 28. (Mountain Home report by SSgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige)
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.