The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the Air Force’s new EA‑37B Compass Call electronic attack aircraft has been sent to the Middle East, marking the platform’s first operational use.
Two EA‑37B Compass Call were spotted at RAF Mildenhall in the U.K. after departing Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona on March 30. They flew under the call signs AXIS41 and AXIS43.
USAF EA-37B #AXIS41 & #AXIS43 out of Davis–Monthan AFB are inbound to RAF Mildenhall after a stop at McGuire AFB.
19-1587 / #AE17CD
17-5579 / #AE142E pic.twitter.com/3QqHtFgqJS— EISNspotter (@EISNspotter) March 31, 2026
US Air Force EA-37B Compass Call seen in the UK today on its way to the type’s first ever combat deployment. Two EA-37Bs arrived and will support Operation EPIC FURY.
The EA-37B is an electronic warfare platform whose full capabilities are classified. https://t.co/zwa1MAuaf5
— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) March 31, 2026
In an April 1 update, CENTCOM included the EA‑37B in its listing of assets involved in Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.’ ongoing military campaign against Iran.
Operation Epic Fury: April 1st Update pic.twitter.com/HfMcpjU2mZ
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 2, 2026
The Air Force currently operates five EA-37Bs, with a planned fleet of 10. The aircraft, which entered service in August 2024, is replacing the older EC-130H Compass Call platform.
When the EA-37B Compass Call visited Europe for a roadshow in January 2026, the Air Force said the aircraft was not yet operational. It remains unclear if that status has changed.
The service previously said that the Initial Operational Capability is expected later this year.
The EA-37B, based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet, can fly nearly 600 mph at altitudes up to 45,000 feet and has a range of 4,400 nautical miles. Its missions include jamming enemy communications, radars, navigation systems, and suppressing air defenses.
“The aircraft is used to disrupt enemy communications, radars and navigation systems, something that is emerging as even more important in the drone-based conflict in the Middle East,” Aerospace Global News wrote in its report.
The aircraft were last seen departing RAF Mildenhall on April 2 at 2 p.m. local time. CENTCOM declined to comment on whether the aircraft have flown missions in its area of responsibility, citing operational security.
⚡🇺🇸 US Air Force EA-37B Compass Call seen departing RAF Mildenhall on its first deployment under Operation Epic Fury.
Built for modern electronic warfare, this aircraft is designed to disrupt enemy communications, radar systems, and battlefield networks while supporting allied… pic.twitter.com/tdY8Apqop2
— Defense Intelligence (@DI313_) April 2, 2026
