Whidbey Island

A Navy crew chief signals to the pilot and the electronic warfare officer during flight preparation at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., August 6, 2014. Recently, the role of electronic attack has transitioned to the EA-18G Growler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott/RELEASED)

Whidbey Island

U.S. Air Force Major Ajay Giri, VAQ-131 Training Squadron, performs checks before a simulated flight at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., August 7, 2014. Giri is one of the many Air Force weapon systems officers who are transitioning to electronic warfare officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott/RELEASED)

Whidbey Island

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Don Keen, 390th Electronic Combat Squadron commander, and Lt. Cmdr. Kerry Hicks, VAQ-129 EA-18G Growler pilot, receives a briefing before a flight in the EA-18G Growler at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., August 7, 2014. Electronic attack missions are extremely complex and vital to providing cover for friendly aircraft during joint-combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott/RELEASED)

Whidbey Island

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Don Keen, 390th Electronic Combat Squadron commander, and Lt. Randy Scoby, VAQ-129 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare officer, talk before a flight on the EA-18G Growler at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., August 7, 2014. The missions of the Growler will be strategic resources for Air Force aircrew and combat forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott/RELEASED)

Whidbey Island

The EA-18G Growler waits before take-off at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., August 7, 2014. Electronic attack missions, flown by the Growler, are extremely complex and vital to providing cover for friendly aircraft during joint-combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott/RELEASED)

Aircraft work together, hone combat edge

Published Aug. 21, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Malissa Lott
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. -- The flight line is shrouded in mist as Navy maintenance personnel prepare an EA-18G Growler for the individuals in green flight suits. Amongst a sea of Sailors, Air Force pilots work hand-in-hand with the Navy.

As the Navy leads the way in electronic attack, the Air Force trains and flies missions alongside our sister service.

"The way I tie in the importance of the Growler's mission is when the Strike Eagle is assigned high profile tasks," said Capt. Ruskin Herrera, 390th Electronic Combat Squadron weapons system officer. "The Growler protects them in combat where there are enemy radars."

Training with different services will help accomplish real-world missions. It reiterates the idea of joint combat and working together.

"I think the joint integration piece, the way warfare is conducted, is not just a single service responsibility," said Maj. Ajay Giri, 390th ECS electronic warfare officer. "It will never be just the Navy or just the Air Force. We all have different core competencies that complement each other and help accomplish national objectives for whatever campaign we are involved in."

The Airmen training with the Navy have the added benefit of understanding Navy terms and are able to translate to their Air Force partners. Using this skill, the Air Force and the Navy are better equipped to understand each other.

"Being that the Growler is the only aircraft in the Department of Defense inventory that does fast electronic attack, when the Air Force needs something jammed they need the Navy to be there and that's where having Air Force aircrew in these squadrons is going to be huge," said Maj. Shalin Turner, 390th ECS assistant director of operations. "I understand Navy and Air Force terms, so when all of this planning happens I can translate and help the two services become more cohesive."

Working with other services helps develop leaders at all levels. Learning the traditions of different services can also be interesting but is a good experience Turner said.

"I have enjoyed working with the Navy immensely," said Giri. "This is the second time I have flown with the Navy. Everyone in this squadron has done initial joint training with the Navy in Pensacola, Fla. It was called the Strike Navigator Program."

Each branch has its own specialties that fit together like puzzle pieces, but it also has more meaning for some.

"Integration between all services provides a unified front," said Giri. "Every service has very unique capabilities they're known for. When we combine our efforts, we are able to provide an extremely lethal combat force and accomplish whatever the mission calls for."

Turner explained sometimes the actions of one service are not always as effective as when multiple services work together. That is how wars are fought and missions are accomplished.

As the mist clears from the flight line, it becomes apparent the deliberate maneuvers between the Navy and Air Force service members. Multiservice aircrews climb into the Growlers, the partnership between the two military branches has forged a culture of combat effectiveness... Anytime, Anyplace.