On February 18, 2026, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-135 flew alongside a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force OP-3C during a bilateral exercise over the Sea of Japan, as reported by the U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. The event may appear limited in scale, but it reflects how the United States and Japan are refining coordination in one of Northeast Asia’s most sensitive maritime and air theaters. At a time of missile threats, submarine activity, and contested electromagnetic environments, such a sortie carries significance beyond routine training. It underscores the growing importance of electronic warfare, surveillance, and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. Read Full Defense news at this link.
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| A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler and JMSDF OP-3C conducted a bilateral flight on February 18, 2026, highlighting deepening U.S.-Japan integration of electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities in a contested Indo-Pacific environment (Picture Source: U.S. Navy) |