"The Prowler is a high-value asset, and it has to be protected in the battle space, so a lot of time we have what we call a high-value asset combat air patrol (CAP) attached to us," said Capt. Brad Russell, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "With the advent of the Growler, and with our own ability to be in the link and shoot forward-firing ordnance – specifically AMRAAM – and our ability to act in a self-protect role as a fighter, the carrier strike group commander will at least have the option of not assigning a high-value asset CAP to that Growler. [It's a] more efficient use [of] strike fighter assets depending upon the threat environment."
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