The first EC-130H upgraded to the new Baseline-2 standard was redelivered to the 55th Electronic Combat Group—the only unit operating the type—at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., on Feb. 20. The revamped Compass Call now boasts expanded “plug-and-play” capability to allow rapid modification for unique missions, modernized satellite communications, and upgraded datalinks, according to a Feb. 25 release. The aircraft also received enhanced survivability and performance modifications, though the specific details of the upgrade are classified, states the release. The 661st Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Waco, Tex., conducted the work, guided by Air Force Materiel Command’s Big Safari program office. The unit’s EC-130s, tasked with counter-communication and electronic attack, have been continuously deployed since 2002, flying some 10,400 sorties and 64,200 flying hours in combat operations over Afghanistan and Iraq, states the release.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
