RAF pilot joins elite group of aviators by flying EA-18G Growler from US aircraft carrier
An RAF officer said it was an "incredible honour" to get a rare opportunity to fly one of the world's most advanced electronic attack jets from a US aircraft carrier.
Squadron Leader Le Lohe flew the EA-18G Growler off USS Abraham Lincoln as part of an exchange programme with the US Navy.
He becomes one of only a handful of RAF pilots to qualify as a naval aviator and earn his wings of gold through the US Navy carrier qualification in around 60 years of transatlantic exchange programmes.
The achievement puts him among an elite group of aviators with cross-platform expertise spanning land and sea operations and makes him one of the few RAF pilots to experience catapult launches and arrested landings.
Sqn Ldr Le Lohe said: "This opportunity to fly the EA-18G Growler off a US Aircraft Carrier was an incredible honour.
"Carrier flying is utterly unique, getting shot off the catapult at 140 knots in under two seconds certainly focuses the mind!"
Sqn Ldr Le Lohe is currently with the US Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) which trains aircrew and sailors to conduct electronic warfare at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State.
He began months of intensive preparation in February – from lectures and simulators to field carrier landing practice at Coupeville and Naval Air Station El Centro, California.
"The coordinated teamwork required so many different departments to achieve safe and efficient flying operations and was a privilege to witness," he said.
"I will be forever grateful to VAQ-129 for allowing me to Carrier Qualify."
The EA-18G Growler is the US Navy's most advanced electronic attack jet and is their first line of defence in hostile environments.
The aircraft is a specialised version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet and provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to US forces.
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