In the surprise military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler electronic-warfare aircraft played a pivotal and largely unseen role in neutralizing Venezuela’s air-defence network and enabling U.S. forces to strike deep into Caracas airspace, according to multiple media reports.
Emerging details indicate that during “Operation Absolute Resolve,” more than 150 U.S. aircraft — including fighter jets, bombers, reconnaissance drones, electronic warfare platforms, and support aircraft — were mobilized to overwhelm and suppress Venezuelan aerial defences. The Growler, a specialized electronic attack jet designed not to drop bombs but to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum, was critical in “blinding” radar and communications systems, allowing helicopters carrying special operations forces to enter and exit Venezuelan airspace with minimal resistance.
According to The Wall Street Journal and defense analysts, the EA-18G Growler’s mission over Venezuela was to jam, confuse, and degrade Caracas’s radar and surface-to-air missile systems, many of which are legacy Soviet- and Russian-made equipment such as variants of the S-300 air defence system. The jets emit powerful electronic signals that interfere with radar tracking and communications, effectively rendering air-defence networks blind or inaccurate during critical phases of the assault.
Electronic warfare specialists noted that Growlers use advanced jamming pods to detect hostile radar emissions, analyze them instantly, and respond with disruptive signals tailored to overwhelm the systems. In practical terms, this can fill radar screens with false blips or break tracking locks on friendly aircraft, significantly lowering the risk of surface-to-air missiles engaging U.S. aircraft. One Growler can shield an entire formation, making it a valuable force multiplier in hostile skies.
The EA-18G, built on the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe, replaced the older EA-6B Prowler and entered U.S. Navy service in 2009. It has since become the backbone of U.S. airborne electronic attack capabilities. The aircraft’s ability to operate from aircraft carriers and forward bases gives U.S. forces flexibility to project power in contested environments. Australia also operates Growlers, underscoring their allied utility.
While Venezuela’s air-defence systems are regarded as outdated compared with those fielded by near-peer adversaries such as China or Russia, the ability of U.S. Growlers to exploit those weaknesses highlighted a broader shift back toward electronic warfare in modern conflict. During decades of operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East, U.S. forces faced poorly equipped opponents with limited radar and missile capabilities — reducing emphasis on high-end jamming assets. The resurgence of sophisticated air-defence threats in conflicts like Ukraine has renewed interest in electromagnetic dominance as a prerequisite for air operations.
The military campaign against Venezuelan defence infrastructure marked one of the largest combined air operations in recent U.S. history. Military officials confirmed that forces ranging from F-22 Raptors and F-35 Lightning IIs to B-1 bombers, E-2 early warning aircraft, and numerous drones were integrated into the assault package. The Growlers worked alongside these platforms to carve out a secure corridor for helicopters tasked with capturing Maduro and his inner circle.
President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that the operation succeeded in capturing Maduro and his wife, transporting them into U.S. custody where they will face charges, including narco-terrorism allegations. The administration has also signaled intent to stabilize Venezuela and leverage its vast oil resources, creating a highly contested geopolitical moment.
The operation has not been without cost. U.S. officials assessed that around 75–80 people, including Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel and some civilians, were killed during the strikes and ensuing engagements. U.S. military casualties were limited, with only a small number wounded. Caracas has responded with heightened internal security measures and diplomatic condemnation, particularly from allies like Cuba and Russia.
In Venezuela, armed “collectivos” and loyalist militias have reportedly tightened their grip on parts of Caracas, further complicating the security environment. Meanwhile, an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council was called in response to the U.S. action, with many nations questioning the legality of a cross-border capture operation absent explicit authorization.
Defense analysts say the prominence of the Growler in this operation underscores a broader trend: control of the electromagnetic spectrum is increasingly pivotal in modern warfare, sometimes as decisive as air superiority or precision munitions. While the Venezuelan air-defence architecture was vulnerable, the same tactics would be more challenging against sophisticated adversaries, necessitating rapid evolution of electronic warfare systems.
As the U.S. military and its partners look toward potential future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, where advanced integrated air-defence systems are more common, investments in agile, software-driven jamming technology and electronic attack capabilities are expected to accelerate. For now, the Growler stands as a stark example of how invisible waves — not just visible firepower — can determine the outcome of high-stakes missions.
