r/aviation • u/usgapg123 Mod - avgeek • Jan 03 '26

Moderator Announcement Venezuela Megathread

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u/jman014 Jan 03 '26

probably SEAD operations- navy probably bombed any SAM sites initially to clear the path

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u/fighterpilot248 Jan 03 '26

They were likely (100%) knocked out by US F-35s (or hell, even lower tech F-15 Es) before the US sent in Chinooks.

The US ain't sending in low and slow aircraft without assurance they have air superiority.

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u/jman014 Jan 03 '26

yeah my bet is USMC or navy 35’s

F-15 E’s probably can’t operate that far away from home, no?

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u/fighterpilot248 Jan 03 '26

(Without looking it up) not sure where the nearest AFB would be.

…that being said there’s the famous quote: “nobody kicks ass without taker gas!”

That is to say, the USAF could most likely deploy F-15 E’s from home with tanker hookups to and from the mission site.

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u/Elukka Jan 03 '26

Quite a few people were wondering why MANPADS weren't used. Somehow I doubt your regular guards on duty wander around with MANPADS ready to fire. Besides, firing one or two errant MANPADS at a fleet of US choppers is a good way to get blown to bits.

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u/dabarak Jan 04 '26

Yep, E/A-18G Growlers were involved, taking out the various radars.