The Trump administration in the United States conducted a military operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela.
'Electronic Warfare Aircraft Spotlighted by Maduro's Capture'
In this process, air power equipped with electronic warfare capabilities was preemptively deployed to create the operational environment. Photo by Yonhap News
Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, was captured following a military operation involving both air power and ground forces.
The operation was a complex mission that progressed from securing air superiority and neutralizing air defense networks to the deployment of ground troops.
This is evaluated as a classic example of a modern air superiority-based operation, where air power is used to disable air defenses before inserting troops.
Among the air assets deployed, the role of the Growler (EA-18G) electronic warfare aircraft has drawn particular attention.
The US Navy's EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft is preparing to land on the aircraft carrier flight deck. The Growler is tasked with jamming and neutralizing enemy air defense networks and communication systems.
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The EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft is flying to carry out its mission. The electronic warfare aircraft is regarded as a key asset for disabling enemy radar and command and control networks ahead of air raids and special forces deployments.
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An EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft is approaching the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. In modern warfare, electronic warfare aircraft are considered a leading force that determines the success or failure of mission commencement. Photo by U.S. Department of Defense (DVIDS)
원본보기 아이콘Electronic warfare aircraft are strategic assets that use electronic equipment and jamming devices to neutralize enemy anti-aircraft radars and air defense systems.
In this operation as well, they first paralyzed Venezuela's air defense network,
and are considered a key asset that secured the route for special forces to be inserted.
Deployment of Large-Scale Air Power and Operation Execution
'Operation Absolute Resolve' was the code name for this mission,
and more than 150 aircraft were deployed as air power.
The US Air Force is guiding F-35A Lightning II fighter jets following military operations conducted in Venezuela to support 'Operation Absolute Resolve.' The F-35A is a key asset performing initial suppression missions based on its stealth capabilities.
A US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet is taxiing along the runway following a military operation conducted in Venezuela in support of 'Operation Absolute Resolve.' The F-22 is the US Air Force's primary air superiority fighter responsible for gaining control of the airspace.
The U.S. Air Force is observing an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet moving along the runway following a military operation conducted in Venezuela to support 'Operation Absolute Resolve.' This fighter jet is assigned critical strike missions during both pre- and post-operation phases.
U.S. military aircraft are parked at an airship following a military operation conducted in Venezuela to support 'Operation Absolute Resolve.' The operation involved various air forces, including fighter jets and electronic warfare assets. Photo by U.S. Department of Defense (DVIDS)
Aircraft were launched from 20 ground and maritime bases located in the Western Hemisphere,
with F-22, F-35, and F-18 fighter jets as well as B-1 bombers mobilized.
Among these, the aircraft flying at the front was the Growler electronic warfare aircraft,
and after the air defense network was neutralized, ground forces assigned to capture President Maduro were deployed.
Troop Deployment and Special Forces Operations
Helicopters carrying troops flew at low altitude,
maintaining an altitude of about 100 feet (30 meters) above the ground to avoid detection.
The deployed ground forces are the Delta Force, the elite special forces of the U.S. Army,
The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the 'Night Stalkers.' Photo by US Department of Defense (DVIDS)
This unit previously transported Navy SEALs to Pakistan during the 2011 operation to eliminate Osama bin Laden,
and operates Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters.
Background of Air Power Concentration
A defining feature of this operation was the massive deployment of air power.
Amid missile standoff over Venezuelan airspace, a luminous scene presumed to be a missile trajectory was captured in the night sky near the urban area. This situation occurred at a time when tensions were escalating in connection with a military operation conducted by the U.S. military. CNN
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This was aimed at evading and neutralizing Venezuela's air defense network.
Dan Cain, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the air force neutralized the air defense system to secure safe routes for helicopters and ground troops during the approach to Caracas, achieving a 'complete surprise effect' in the operation. Photo by Yonhap News
This process is analyzed to have involved a comprehensive utilization of various technological forces, including Space Force, Cyber Force, and Communications Force.
Assessment of the Importance of Electronic Warfare
Military experts consider electronic warfare aircraft to be the top-priority asset in neutralizing enemy air defense networks.
Shin Jongwoo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), acknowledged the importance of advanced equipment,
but explained that in actual operations, electronic warfare aircraft are the most efficient means.
This operation is also cited as a case that demonstrates how follow-up forces can only be deployed after electronic warfare aircraft have taken the lead.
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Korean Military's Electronic Warfare Aircraft Development and Response to North Korean Air Defense
In line with this trend, the Korean military will invest
1.9206 trillion won from this year through 2034 to develop electronic warfare aircraft.
Electronic Warfare Concept Diagram. Photo of equipment disclosed by LIG Nex1 (now LIG D&A).
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LIG D&A believes that by consolidating the technologies developed so far, it is fully capable of developing such aircraft.
North Korea's dense 'spider web air defense network' is the main reason for pursuing this project,
and it is known that North Korea has established a four-layered air defense system around Pyongyang, including SA-5, SA-2, SA-3 surface-to-air missiles and man-portable missiles.
The military plans to introduce four electronic warfare aircraft with a jamming range of 250 kilometers,
and expects that once these assets are deployed, they will be able to effectively neutralize North Korea's air defense network.
The jamming range of the EA-18G Growler operated by the US military is reported to be 150 kilometers.
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Edit Maeng Jiae mjiae@asiae.co.kr
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Reporter Yang Nakgyu if@asiae.co.kr
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