USMC Prowlers redeploy to Qatar
A squadron of US Marine Corps (USMC) EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft have been redeployed from Afghanistan to Qatar, the US Air Force's 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (379 AEW) announced on 21 February, reports Jane's
Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) 'Moon Dogs' arrived at Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base on 17 February. While the Moon Dogs will continue to fly sorties over Afghanistan, their main mission will be to "support any contingencies or operations which may need electronic attack" in Central Command's (CENTCOM's) area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, Egypt and Central Asia, the 379 AEW said.
One of the pilots was quoted as saying: "We are excited to be back at Al-Udeid Air Base and look forward to providing electronic attack for US and coalition forces in the area."
The USMC's ageing Prowlers have been used to jam the signals that insurgents use to trigger improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.