The first production EA-18G Growler took to the air for the first time September 10, 2007, almost a month ahead of schedule, from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport at approximately 2 p.m. Boeing F/A-18 test pilot Greg Bigalk and weapon systems operator Dana Perkins conducted the first flight of the aircraft, which was built on the same assembly line as the F/A-18E/F line.