US Navy EA-18G Growlers helped disable Venezuelan air defenses during the Jan. 3 US strike, with F-22 fighters also employed and later withdrawn. In the aftermath the USAF has sustained RC-135 reconnaissance flights near Venezuela, and videos purport to show an RQ-170 Sentinel returning to Puerto Rico.
Discovered |
Briefing
The operation shows integrated US employment of electronic‑attack (EA), stealth strike and ISR platforms — building on the earlier Growlers deployment to Puerto Rico.
Sustained reconnaissance and support posture (RC-135s, tankers, CSAR assets) extends reach from Puerto Rico and underpins follow-on operations — see the reporting on the sustained airlift to Puerto Rico delivering HH-60W, HC-130J and tankers.
The strikes and subsequent air-activity produced operational and commercial effects across the region, including widespread flight cancellations (one carrier scrubbed ~21% of its schedule), highlighting civil–military airspace impacts documented after the strikes](https://hype.aero/?story=d97ea3a6-fe5a-43d3-9e1e-bd02de12e2fd).
Reported By
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U.S. reduces number of warships near Venezuela after Maduro raid • Washington Post
U.S. Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — January 7 • Aerotech News
EA-18G Growlers Pivotal in U.S. 'Operation Absolute Resolve' to Disable Venezuelan Air Defences • militarywatchmagazine.com
U.S. Air Force deploys RC-135 spy plane near Venezuelan coast • defence-blog.com
Air & Space Forces Mag
• Chris Gordon