Search teams are conducting a thorough investigation after a Navy EA-18G Growler crashed near Mount Rainier, Washington, during a training exercise, leaving two crew members missing.
Navy Jet Crashes Near Mount Rainier, Two Crew Members Missing
Navy Jet Crashes Near Mount Rainier, Two Crew Members Missing
During a routine training flight, a Navy fighter jet crashed in Washington, leaving two crew members missing and a cause yet to be determined.
Search operations continued on Wednesday for the two missing crew members after a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler crashed during a routine training mission near Mount Rainier, Washington, on Tuesday. The Navy has not yet released the identities of the crew or the details of their condition. The incident, which occurred after 3 p.m., is under investigation. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island dispatched search and rescue teams, including an MH-60S helicopter, to the mountainous crash site.
The EA-18G Growler, known for its electronic attack capabilities, is integral to the Navy's defense strategy in hostile environments. Operated by the VAQ-130 squadron, "the Zappers," it recently returned from a nine-month deployment focused on neutralizing threats to international shipping lanes by highlighting Houthi capabilities in Yemen. This squadron is noted for successfully completing close to 700 combat missions.
The Whidbey Island naval station houses most squadrons flying the Growler. The station had planned training exercises for the week and had informed the local community. Recent years have seen an increase in military training flight mishaps. Incidents include an Army helicopter crash in Alabama, resulting in fatalities, and a 2021 crash of a training jet in Texas, which injured two pilots.
The investigation into the cause of the Mount Rainier crash is ongoing, and updates concerning the crew's status are awaited. Such incidents underscore the inherent dangers of military aviation training, despite precautionary measures.
The EA-18G Growler, known for its electronic attack capabilities, is integral to the Navy's defense strategy in hostile environments. Operated by the VAQ-130 squadron, "the Zappers," it recently returned from a nine-month deployment focused on neutralizing threats to international shipping lanes by highlighting Houthi capabilities in Yemen. This squadron is noted for successfully completing close to 700 combat missions.
The Whidbey Island naval station houses most squadrons flying the Growler. The station had planned training exercises for the week and had informed the local community. Recent years have seen an increase in military training flight mishaps. Incidents include an Army helicopter crash in Alabama, resulting in fatalities, and a 2021 crash of a training jet in Texas, which injured two pilots.
The investigation into the cause of the Mount Rainier crash is ongoing, and updates concerning the crew's status are awaited. Such incidents underscore the inherent dangers of military aviation training, despite precautionary measures.
