{"id":62720,"date":"2026-01-04T21:56:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T20:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=62720"},"modified":"2026-01-11T04:03:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T03:03:21","slug":"the-aircraft-used-by-the-united-states-armed-forces-in-the-capture-of-nicolas-maduro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2026\/01\/04\/the-aircraft-used-by-the-united-states-armed-forces-in-the-capture-of-nicolas-maduro\/","title":{"rendered":"The aircraft used by the United States Armed Forces in the capture of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro"},"content":{"rendered":"

The operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has been one of the most complex US military operations in years.<\/p>\n

The ineffectiveness of Venezuela's defenses: what happened to its F-16, Su-30 and MANPADS?<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe special operations helicopters of the United States Army's 'Night Stalkers'<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

This mission, officially called Operation Absolute Resolve<\/strong>, has involved four branches of the US Armed Forces: the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps (USMC) and the Air Force (USAF)<\/strong>, which have contributed various aerial assets to the success of this operation.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet (Photo: U.S. Air Force).<\/div>\n

Yesterday, General John Daniel \"Razin\" Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/strong>, revealed some of the aircraft used<\/a> during the operation, both to open air corridors and to destroy various targets: F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II<\/strong> stealth fighters, F\/A-18E\/F Super Hornet<\/strong> naval fighters, EA-18G Growler<\/strong> electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye<\/strong> naval early warning aircraft, and B-1B Lancer<\/strong> strategic bombers.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jet (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps).<\/div>\n

One of the most important aircraft in this operation would have been the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.<\/strong> This twin-engine turboprop aircraft of the United States Navy is equipped with a Lockheed Martin AN\/APY-9 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, capable of detecting targets at a range of 650 kilometers. It would have alerted the attacking force if Venezuelan fighter jets had taken off to repel the US force.<\/strong> Furthermore, this aircraft is used as an airborne air control platform, playing a fundamental role in coordinating operations.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
A U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft (Photo: U.S. Air Force).<\/div>\n

On December 31st, we already saw the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft here<\/a>. This aircraft would have played a very important role in this operation, since its electronic systems serve to jam enemy radars, hindering or preventing the detection of the attacking force<\/strong>. They also have AGM-88 HARM missiles designed to destroy enemy radars. Its work largely explains why the United States suffered no casualties in this operation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on November 24, 2025 (Photo: U.S. Navy).<\/div>\n

On January 3, four EA-18G aircraft were recorded taking off from the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico<\/strong>, possibly to participate in the operation to capture Nicol\u00e1s Maduro. HR Planespotter<\/a> has published this video showing their takeoff:<\/p>\n