A senior Defense Department official said the planes would be 'flying missions in support of Eastern flank deterrence and defense' but not engaging Russian forces.
"The purpose of this deployment is to bolster readiness, enhance NATO's collective defense posture and further increase air integration capabilities with our allied and partner nations," Kirby said in a statement obtained by"They are being deployed completely in keeping with our efforts to bolster NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities along that eastern flank," he continued."The deployment is not in response to a perceived threat or incident.
Kirby noted that the Boeing-built Growler planes"specialize in flying electronic warfare missions," being equipped with technology that can jam signals and confuse enemy radar. Kirby said the aircraft would improve NATO abilities"to conduct suppression of enemy air defense operations." The planes come from an electronic attack squadron known as VAQ-134, or the"Garudas." The Navy personnel accompanying the planes include pilots and maintenance workers. Navy Captain Christopher Bahner, the commander of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, expressed confidence that deployment would prove valuable.."The Garudas have performed exceptionally well during their planned work-up cycle and stand ready to support U.S. expeditionary and allied task forces in Europe.
The U.S. has committed at least 14,000 troops to support NATO forces amid the attack on Ukraine, with about 11,800 troops being mobilized since February,
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