Advanced U.S fighter jets arrive in the Phillipines w/ 120 U.S airmen

As the international court at The Hague grapples with the Philippines’ case brought against China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, and while Beijing and Washington trade verbal jabs almost daily over the issue,the U.S. Navy has sent four fighter aircraft, E/A-18G Growler airborne electronic attack planes and 120 support personnel, to the Philippines  to help train the country’s forces and patrol its airspace and sea lanes, the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.

The detachment arrived at Clark Air Base, a former U.S. military base, north of Manila, on Wednesday.

“Growler aircraft will support routine operations that enhance regional maritime domain awareness and assure access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement.

A formidable adversary

The EA-18G Growler is a formidable adversary. It is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet and provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world.

According to its manufacturer Boeing, the EA-18G Growler is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform in the world and is the only one in production today.

It suppresses ground defenses for other strikes, and jams enemy radar while the aircrew eliminates the target.

It also has its own arsenal of air-to-air missiles in order to defend itself against attack.

The 7th Fleet said that the latest detachment is part of an air contingent established by U.S. Pacific Command in April to promote interoperability and security cooperation.

It will train Philippine FA-50 fighter pilots and support units located there.

The deployment is the latest so far this year. After a ten-day joint U.S.-Philippine drill that ended in mid- April, five American A-10 Thunderbolt ground-attack jets, (better known as the warthog), three H-60G Pavehawk helicopters and one MC-130H Combat Talon special forces infiltration aircraft remained behind at Clark Air Base, along with nearly 300 crew members.

That month, four of the A-10Cs and two HH-60Gs flew through international airspace in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal. The contingent wrapped up its mission later that month.