OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. —
An RC-135 Rivet Joint and an EA-37B Compass Call aircraft began the first-ever sustained, integrated sorties outside of a large force exercise performed by the two aircraft on Sept. 24, 2025. This operation was meant to advance the 55th Wing’s electromagnetic spectrum warfare capabilities.
The initial mission planning for these sorties was conducted September 8th, 15th and 22nd, 2025, between the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron. Weapons officers and leaders from both communities have been creating the foundational steps for sustained integration. Already there have been rapid developments and lessons learned. These lessons learned are shaping tactics, techniques, and procedures between the two assets.
The integration pairs the 38th RS and the 343rd RS rivet joint aircrews with the 43rd ECS and the 41st ECS compass call crews. The effort has grown since initial planning and now includes all four squadrons, creating a larger, more capable enterprise.
According to Capt. Wesley Ballinger, 38th RS weapons & tactics, flight chief, the world’s best electromagnetic warfare support aircraft, the RJ, is now rapidly and precisely integrating and refining operations on a continuous basis with the world’s pre-eminent electromagnetic attack aircraft, the EA-37B.
“The synergistic integration of Rivet Joint’s intelligence gathering with Compass Call’s electronic warfare capabilities has proven to be a game-changer on the modern battlefield. We’re not simply flying sorties; we’re creating a new paradigm. By refining tactics, techniques, and procedures, we’re ensuring our forces maintain a decisive advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum,” said Capt. Jasmine Harris, 38th RS, weapons & tactics flight commander.
“This level of sustained, continuous integration has never been conducted before by these two assets. Both assets complete specific actions in the kill-chain, and now the kill-chain is being refined into a faster, robust, and more lethal tool, the future of electromagnetic warfare belongs to the United States,” said Ballinger.
Other assets integrate, but what separates this event from others is that both assets are part of Air Combat Command and the 55th Wing family. They each have a specific role in targeting and engaging operations. These assets are the cutting edge of US electromagnetic capabilities and are re-shaping the electromagnetic spectrum for future conflicts.
“With the future of warfare lying in the electromagnetic spectrum, it is crucial we sharpen our skills and increase interoperability to ensure we maintain proficiency in arguably one of the most important domains in the battlespace,” said Capt. Drake Ronnau, 38th RS, weapons and tactics officer.
Moving forward, four sorties per month will be flown between Offutt Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and will be conducted on a permanent basis. The EA-37B has never had sustained integrated sorties with any other asset.
By D.P. Heard
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