The US Air Force’s new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft has conducted a series of intensive flights near Russia’s Kaliningrad region, Military Watch Magazine reports. A NATO E-3 airborne early warning and control aircraft and a US Army ARTEMIS II intelligence aircraft were operating nearby at the same time.

The EA-37B was reportedly temporarily redeployed from Greece to Powidz Air Base in Poland. According to the publication, the simultaneous presence of three specialized aircraft could indicate a coordinated intelligence operation or an electronic warfare mission. However, the precise purpose of the operation cannot be determined from flight patterns alone.

NATO’s particular interest in the Kaliningrad region is linked to its geographical and military significance. The Russian exclave is separated from the country’s main territory and lies between Poland and Lithuania. Moscow has concentrated substantial military assets in the region, including air defense systems, missile weapons, electronic warfare capabilities and naval forces. This makes Kaliningrad one of NATO’s key areas of surveillance on its eastern flank.

The EA-37B Compass Call is of particular interest in this operation. The aircraft is designed to do more than simply jam individual radio communications or radar systems. Its primary role is to disrupt the electronic infrastructure on which modern military operations depend.

This capability is especially important against integrated air defense systems. Radars, command posts and surface-to-air missile units need to constantly exchange information. A radar detects a target, the data is transmitted through the network, commanders make a decision, and the information is then passed to the unit responsible for the interception. Disrupting communications between these elements can reduce the effectiveness of the entire system even if the radars and air defense systems themselves remain operational.

The same principle applies to ground forces. Radio communications and digital networks are used to transmit orders, coordinate units, exchange intelligence and organize fire support. The EA-37B is therefore designed to disrupt not just individual communication channels but the broader information infrastructure supporting military operations.

The E-3 and ARTEMIS II aircraft operating nearby performed complementary roles. The E-3 is designed for airborne radar surveillance and command and control of aviation, while ARTEMIS II is used for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.

Operating the three platforms together allows NATO to monitor Russian military activity across several areas simultaneously. This could include collecting information on radar operations, communications systems and other sources of electromagnetic emissions while also monitoring the airspace around the area of operations.