Two crew members of a Navy jet that crashed near Mount Rainier in Washington were confirmed dead after the wreckage of the plane was located on a mountainside east of the peak. The EA-18G Growler jet from the Electronic Attack Squadron out of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station crashed in a remote, steep, and heavily-wooded area, making the status of the crew initially unknown. Army Special Forces soldiers trained in mountaineering and rescue operations were called in to assist with locating the crew members in the difficult terrain. Despite efforts to find the missing crew members, the Navy shifted from search and rescue to recovery operations, confirming the deaths of the two crew members.
Commander Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, expressed sorrow at the loss of the two crew members in a statement released by the Navy. The focus shifted to supporting the families of the fallen aviators and ensuring the well-being of the sailors and the Growler community. To respect the families and adhere to Navy policy, the identities of the crew members would be withheld until the next of kin had been notified. Recovery efforts and planning for the long-term salvage of the wreckage were ongoing at the crash site.
The investigation into the cause of the crash of the EA-18G Growler jet is still in progress, according to Naval officials. The jet is a variant of the F/A-18 family of aircraft and is equipped with an advanced electronic warfare suite used for tactical jamming and electronic protection. It was designed to replace the EA-6B Prowler and first entered production in October 2004. The inaugural flight of the jet took place in August 2006, with the first delivery occurring in June 2008 to VAQ 129 at NAS Whidbey Island. Each plane comes at a cost of $67 million, making the loss of the aircraft and the crew members a significant tragedy.
The search and rescue efforts were aided by the Army Special Forces soldiers trained in mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills, who were able to navigate the challenging terrain to locate the missing crew members. Despite the challenging conditions of the crash site, efforts were made to recover the debris and make plans for long-term salvage operations. The Navy expressed gratitude for the teamwork involved in safely recovering the deceased crew members. The Navy officials also shared their condolences for the loss of the crew members and vowed to support the families and the Growler community during this difficult time.
The Navy jet crash near Mount Rainier marked a tragic incident involving the loss of two crew members, who were declared dead after the wreckage of the plane was located in a remote area. The focus shifted from search and rescue to recovery operations, as efforts were made to recover the deceased crew members and salvage the wreckage. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with the EA-18G Growler jet being a sophisticated electronic warfare aircraft used for tactical jamming and protection. The loss of the crew members and the aircraft itself serves as a reminder of the risks involved in military aviation operations and the importance of safety measures in place to protect the personnel and equipment.
