DefenseTwo U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft have been observed at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, in what appears to be the type’s first operational deployment.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft departed Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona on March 30, making a stop at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before crossing the Atlantic. They were using the callsigns AXIS 41 and AXIS 43, according to reports.
Images taken on March 31 confirmed the presence of at least one EA-37B at Mildenhall, carrying markings associated with the 355th Wing, which operates the platform.
The deployment comes as U.S. Central Command listed the EA-37B among the assets involved in Operation Epic Fury for the first time, suggesting the aircraft may already be supporting operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Officials have not confirmed whether the jets have flown combat missions, citing operational security.
The EA-37B is a heavily modified Gulfstream G550 equipped for electronic attack missions, designed to jam enemy communications, radar, navigation systems and command-and-control networks. The aircraft is intended to play a key role in suppressing air defenses and disrupting adversary coordination in contested environments.
The U.S. Air Force currently operates five EA-37Bs, with a planned fleet of 10. The type is replacing the aging EC-130H Compass Call, a platform dating back to the Vietnam War era that has become increasingly difficult to maintain.
The timing of the deployment has raised questions about whether the aircraft is being introduced into operations earlier than planned. The EA-37B had not yet reached full operational status, with initial operational capability expected later this year.
Analysts note that the Air Force has previously deployed new or developmental aircraft in active operations when needed, accelerating their operational maturity. The presence of two aircraft in the UK, rather than a single test platform, points to a likely operational role.
There are also indications the aircraft could move closer to the Middle East theater, potentially operating alongside other U.S. assets such as the RC-135 Rivet Joint, with which the EA-37B is designed to integrate for combined intelligence and electronic warfare missions.
The deployment highlights the growing importance of control over the electromagnetic spectrum in modern warfare, particularly in conflicts involving advanced air defenses and networked systems.
