First operational deployment of USAF's EA-37B Compass Call to the Middle East
On 2 April 2026, the USAF signaled a new era in airborne electronic warfare by deploying its cutting-edge EA-37B Compass Call aircraft from RAF Mildenhall (UK) to the Middle East.
The first operational deployment of the two 55th Electronic Combat Group DM coded EA-37B aircraft, with serial numbers 17-5579 and 19-1587, to the region is in support of 'Operation Epic Fury' and follows the reporting of increased Iranian-backed Houthi activity and reports of multiple destroyed or damaged USAF aircraft.
At this moment, it is confirmed that one Boeing E-3G Sentry AWACS (81-0005) has been destroyed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) in Saudi Arabia. Probably related with the EA-37B deployment, but not confirmed, reporting from late March 2026 have shown that two legacy EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, which were deployed to PSAB, have possibly been damaged. These EC-130Hs, which were part of the limited remaining operational fleet, were reported as damaged during a ballistic missile strike by Iran on 27 March.
The Middle East environment is complex. Also being called unofficially Banshee, the EA-37B is uniquely suited for this environment and capable of jamming hostile radar, communication, and navigation systems without firing a single kinetic round. By introducing the EA-37B, US Central Command (USCENTCOM) intends to achieve total electronic superiority. In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, electronic dominance has become as critical as air superiority. The ability to disrupt, deny, and degrade an adversary’s communications and sensors can isolate enemy forces and paralyse their decision-making capabilities.
As a replacement for the legacy EC-130H Compass Call fleet, the EA-37B represents a major technological leap, providing high-speed, high-altitude standoff jamming capabilities that are now being integrated into active operations like 'Operation Epic Fury'. The EA-37B is a heavily modified Gulfstream G550 business jet developed to replace the 1970s/1980s-era EC-130H Compass Call planes.
Strikingly, during January 2026, EA-37B 17-5579 already visited Ramstein Air Base (Germany) during a training mission from Davis Monthan AFB (AZ). Also, EA-37B 19-1587 was the aircraft which flew the very first 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron training sortie from Davis Monthan on 2 May 2025.
Credit photo: NTG842 (On Flickr via Scramble Messageboard)