U.S. Air Force retires final EC-130H Compass Call aircraft

The U.S. Air Force has officially retired the last EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft. A formal ceremony was held on September 2 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona to mark the end of the platform's service, which began in 1981.

For over 40 years, the fleet of 14 aircraft was utilized to jam enemy radar, communications, and command systems. These missions supported operations across Central America, the Middle East, and Europe. The retired aircraft are being moved to the AMARG storage facility in Arizona.

The retirement is driven by the aging C-130H Hercules airframe and the need for higher speeds to match modern jet formations. The electronic warfare mission will continue via the EA-37B Compass Call II, a newer platform based on the Gulfstream G550. The EA-37B offers greater altitude, twice the speed, and has already seen combat deployment and missions on NATO's eastern flank.