OCT 17, 2024
6:30 p.m. PDT │ Update 3
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – The U.S. Navy, along with local law enforcement and partner agencies, continue search and rescue efforts on the mountain where a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler crashed on Oct. 15.
The wreckage rests at approximately 6,000 feet altitude in a remote, steep and heavily-wooded area east of Mount Rainier.
Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are assisting in the search. 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) brings specialized mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills necessary to navigate the difficult terrain associated with the Cascade Mountain Range that is inaccessible by other means.
The status of the crew cannot be confirmed without a site assessment of the debris area.
“Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Capt. David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Adhering to Dept. of Defense procedure, we cannot identify or confirm the names of aircrew involved in a mishap until 24-hours after their next of kin have been notified of their status. Please remain patient and limit speculation about the incident. That is one of the best ways we can respect the privacy of the loved ones who are impacted by this tragic event.”
There are no known hazards to the public.
“We appreciate the community support as experienced personnel respond around the crash site,” said Capt. Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of NAS Whidbey Island. “We are confident that we have the capability we need at this time, and will request any additional capabilities, if needed, via official channels in coordination with the on-site incident commander.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The U.S. Navy will continue to provide updates. More information is available on NAS Whidbey Island's website and official social media accounts.
OCT 16, 2024
4 p.m. PDT │ Update 2
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – Just after 12:30 p.m. PDT, aerial search crews located the wreckage of the EA-18G Growler that crashed on Oct. 15. The crash site rests on a mountainside east of Mount Rainier.
The status of the two crew members is unknown while the search effort continues.
An Emergency Operations Center has been established on NAS Whidbey Island to coordinate response efforts, and the U.S. Navy is making preparations to deploy personnel to secure the remote area that is not accessible by motorized vehicles.
“I am thankful for the tremendous teamwork displayed by the NAS Whidbey Island squadrons -- VAQ, VP, VQ, TOCRON 10 and SAR -- as Team Whidbey continues to respond to our tragic mishap,” said Capt. David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “I am also grateful to local law enforcement, responders, and tribal communities whose partnership has been essential in planning our critical next steps for access to the site.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
OCT 16, 2024
11:10 a.m. PDT │ Update 1
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – The U.S. Navy, in coordination with Yakima County tribal and local authorities, continue to search for the EA-18G Growler aircraft that crashed yesterday afternoon.
Aerial operations continued through the night, launching from NAS Whidbey Island and searching in the area 30 miles west of Yakima, Wash. Responders are facing mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility as the search is ongoing.
As of 11 a.m. on Oct. 16, neither the crew nor wreckage has been located.
Additional units supporting search and rescue include: U.S. Navy Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), Patrol Squadron (VP-46), NAS Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, and U.S. Army 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
OCT 15, 2024
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – At 3:23 p.m. PDT, a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 crashed east of Mount Rainier during a routine training flight.
Multiple search and rescue assets, including a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, launched from NAS Whidbey Island to locate the crew and examine the crash site.
As of 7 p.m. on Oct. 15, the status of the two crew members remains unknown.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
The “Zappers” of VAQ-130 are based at NAS Whidbey Island, and recently completed a combat deployment on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower as the only E/A-18G Growler squadron with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.
The EA-18G Growler is a variant in the F/A-18 family of aircraft that combines the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. All EA-18G squadrons are stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, with the exception of one squadron (VAQ-141) attached to CVW-5, Forward Deployed Naval Force, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
The U.S. Navy fact file on the EA-18G Growler can be found at the following link:
https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2166036/ea-18g-growler-airborne-electronic-attack-aircraft/