Two US Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft have left their base in the UK and are flying towards the Middle East, according to Abu Saleh's Arabic Desk. The report follows The Zioneer's earlier coverage of the aircraft being en route from the UK to Crete as part of the US military buildup amid tensions with Iran.
The two EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft have left their base in the UK and are now continuing from Crete toward the Middle East, according to a new report from Abu Saleh's Arabic Desk. The Zioneer reported earlier today at 14:27 Jerusalem that the aircraft were en route from the UK to Crete. The new report advances the tracking of the deployment, confirming the aircraft have departed Crete and are heading toward the region.
The Zioneer first reported on Thursday, July 23 at 16:32 Jerusalem that the EA-37B had arrived at RAF Mildenhall in the UK, with two aircraft subsequently heading to Crete. The aircraft, designed to jam enemy communications and radar, last operated in the region in April during Operation Roaring Lion and left in June after the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The new report moves the timeline forward, indicating the aircraft are now in the final leg of their journey.
The deployment is part of a broader US military buildup in the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran. As The Zioneer has reported, this buildup includes F-35 fighter jets from RAF Lakenheath, aerial tankers, an E-11A communications relay aircraft, and increased transport flights from Europe to the region. The EA-37B's electronic warfare capability extends the US ability to disrupt adversary command and control systems.
The report from Abu Saleh's Arabic Desk remains single-sourced and unverified, with no official confirmation from US military or regional authorities. The aircraft's final destination and operational mission have not been disclosed.
5 developments
- DevelopingUS Air Force E-11A communications aircraft en route to Middle East, The Zioneer reports
- DevelopingUS fighter jets take off from Cyprus to intercept Iranian drones targeting US bases in Jordan, Arab channels report
- DevelopingCypriot media claim US bombers over Greece, heading toward Iran
- StrongUS E-3 AWACS circles over Saudi airspace between Kuwait, Bahrain after Iranian strikes
Source and signal
- Open-source intake