Washington – The U.S. Navy confirmed on Sunday the deaths of two aviators following a jet crash during an Oct. 15 training mission in northeast Washington.
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A search-and-rescue operation that had been ongoing since the crash has now shifted to a recovery mission, according to a Navy official.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton of the Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 130, also known as the “Zappers.” “Our priority right now is taking care of the families of our fallen aviators and ensuring the well-being of our Sailors and the Growler community. We are grateful for the ongoing teamwork to safely recover the deceased.”
The Navy stated that the names of the deceased crew members will not be released until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
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Jet Wreckage Located
Wreckage of the EA-18G Growler jet was found on Wednesday afternoon on a mountainside east of Mount Rainier, military officials said.
Search-and-rescue crews encountered mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility during the search efforts, the Navy noted in a previous statement.
The jet, from Electronic Attack Squadron 130, crashed around 3:23 p.m. on Tuesday, roughly 30 miles west of Yakima, according to Navy reports.
Immediate Rescue Efforts
The aircraft had launched a training flight from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island shortly before the crash. Following the incident, an MH-60S helicopter crew was dispatched to search for the missing aviators and the wreckage. Additional units from U.S. Navy Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron One, Patrol Squadron, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, and the U.S. Army 4-6 Air Calvary Squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord also assisted in the search.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, the Navy said.
About the EA-18G Growler
The EA-18G Growler, which the Navy describes as “the most advanced technology in airborne Electronic Attack,” is valued at around $67 million. It serves as the Navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments.
Zappers Squadron History
The Electronic Attack Squadron 130 earned the nickname “Zappers” when it was commissioned as the Carrier Early Warning Squadron 13 in 1959.
The squadron was most recently deployed to the Southern Red Sea, where it carried out seven pre-planned strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, according to a statement.
The Zappers also completed approximately 700 combat missions aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to threaten civilian shipping, the military said in a press release marking the squadron’s return to Washington in July.