Prowlers of US Marine Corps are redeploy to Qatar

A squadron of US Marine Corps (USMC) EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft have been redeployed from Afghanistan to Qatar, the US Air Force’s 379th Air Expeditionary Wing (379 AEW) announced on 21 February, reports Jane’s 

 

EA-6B Prowler takes off from Eielson AFB. Note the tint of the gold embedded in the canopy. The gold provides protection from electromagnetic interference and prevents some EM emissions

Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) ‘Moon Dogs’ arrived at Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base on 17 February. While the Moon Dogs will continue to fly sorties over Afghanistan, their main mission will be to “support any contingencies or operations which may need electronic attack” in Central Command’s (CENTCOM’s) area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, Egypt and Central Asia, the 379 AEW said.

 

'FrankenProwler' during a pre-flight inspection at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq

One of the pilots was quoted as saying: “We are excited to be back at Al-Udeid Air Base and look forward to providing electronic attack for US and coalition forces in the area.”

The USMC’s ageing Prowlers have been used to jam the signals that insurgents use to trigger improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.

Bangladeshi Govt. wants fighter base at Cox's Bazar

 

The prime minister has given directives to turn Cox's Bazar airport into an advanced airbase for speedy dispatch of fighter planes, according to a paper presented by defence ministry officials to a parliamentary body on Sunday. The report presented to the standing committee on defence said the ministry has also proposed allocating 25 percent of the annual defence budget to the air force until 2014 for its modernisation.

 

It further said that the government was moving to set up a radar station in Cox's Bazar, followed by one in Barisal, to bring the country under radar coverage. The paper said the defence ministry had finalised the specifications for procuring a radar system for Cox's Bazar. None of the standing committee members spoke to the press after the meeting. "We have not discussed anything newsworthy today," defence committee chairman Idris Ali told reporters at the parliament building.

The paper tabled at the meeting by defence ministry officials said, "As per the directives of the Prime Minister, preparation for turning the Cox's Bazar air port into an advanced air base is on. "The ministry is coordinating with the civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh to stretch the existing runway and build [other facilities]."

 

Ministry officials said in their report that the deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar had already taken measures to acquire land for the purpose. The report also said the ministry had drafted short-term, mid-term and long-term plans to modernise the air force. "As per the short-term plan, 25 percent of the annual military budget can be given to the air force until 2014. "Or a special budget allocation can be made to install vital instruments for modernisation of the air force," it said.

 

 

"Short-range and mid-range surface-to-air-missile (SAM) system can be procured to secure the air force's installations as mid-term measures (from 2014 to 2021)," said the report. It also said the existing A-5, FT-6 and F-7 fighter planes could be replaced in phases in the long-term. "After 2021, measures can be taken to purchase new planes for the air force's three squadrons," said the defence ministry paper.