Two US F/A-18 Super Hornets executed a precise aerial maneuver along Venezuela’s coastline on Tuesday, circling the Gulf of Venezuela for approximately 40 minutes in what defense officials described as a “routine training flight.” The incident, tracked by flight monitoring services, revealed the advanced fighter jets operating under callsigns RHINO11 and RHINO12 approached within 20 nautical miles of Venezuela’s second-largest city, Maracaibo.
The operation coincided with the presence of an EA-18G Growler surveillance aircraft, designated GRIZZLY2, which conducted parallel intelligence-gathering activities. Aviation experts noted the aircraft only activated their transponders upon reaching the Venezuelan coastal region, suggesting a deliberate demonstration of US military capabilities.
This development occurs amidst escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, following a series of US maritime strikes targeting alleged drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean. These operations have resulted in over 80 casualties, raising international concerns about their legal justification.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has characterized the increased US military presence as part of an orchestrated campaign to destabilize his government. His accusations gained traction when former President Donald Trump publicly stated that Maduro’s “days in power were numbered” in an interview preceding the aerial incursion.
Military analysts interpret the flight patterns as sophisticated intelligence gathering. According to former RAF Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, the mission likely aimed to probe Venezuelan defense systems, with Growlers collecting signals intelligence while Super Hornets provided protective cover. The operation potentially tested electronic jamming capabilities and assessed response protocols of Venezuelan air defense networks.
The strategic deployment includes at least nine military vessels recently identified in the Caribbean, spearheaded by the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier. Satellite imagery analysis confirms the reactivation of Roosevelt Roads airbase in Puerto Rico, now hosting advanced F-35 fighter aircraft, marking a significant enhancement of US operational capacity in the region.
Security consultant Justin Crump of Sibylline assessed that these demonstrations serve dual purposes: showcasing technical superiority while psychologically pressuring Venezuelan leadership through visible military posturing.