VX-31's EA-18G #500 (BuNo 166642) participates in Red Flag 09-3at Nellis AFB Photo: Jake Melampy

3/28/2009 - The VX-31 "Dust Devils" participated in Red Flag 09-3 at Nellis AFB recently and brought their EA-18G #500, among other Hornets. VX-31is based at China Lake NAWS and works mainly on testing various weapons. Their role at Red Flag focused on SEAD.

#500 is the latest side number that's been applied to EA-18G 'Growler' BuNo 166642. Technically this aircraft started as an F/A-18F (F-135) but was eventually modified into what has been referred to as an NEA-18G. It was the second 'Growler' EMD aircraft produced, and is also identified as 'EA-2'. It made its first flight from the Boeing St. Louis plant on November 10th, 2006. It was delivered to NAS Patuxent River on November 29th, 2006 for continued testing. It was eventually sent to China Lake around the end of 2007. EA-2 was utilized by VX-9 during evaluations in mid 2008.

Source: ©The North Spin