Yesterday afternoon an EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 crashed in Washington state.
The crew of 2 went down east of Mount Rainier during a routine training flight. As of 1pm ET today, they have not been located, and neither has the wreckage.
Multiple assets involved to find the crash and crew
According to a Navy spokesperson from the crew’s base at NAS Whidbey Island, multiple search and rescue assets are involved including a Navy MN-60S helicopter, to find the crash and crew.
“We ask that everyone keep the members of the Growler and NASWI community and their families foremost in their thoughts and to be respectful of their privacy during this difficult time,” said the base in a social media update this morning.
Crews are searching in the area 30 miles west of Yakima. Responders are facing mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available. We will update here.
UPDATE OCT 17 – wreckage found
The following update was provided by the Navy on Oct 16:
“Just after 12:30 p.m. PDT, aerial search crews located the wreckage of the EA-18G Growler that crashed on Oct. 15. The 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. The Navy is making preparations to deploy personnel to 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.”
VAQ-130 is the oldest Electronic Attack squadron is the US Navy
The Zappers had just returned stateside too, following a combat deployment as the only EA-18 Growler squadron with Carrier Air Wing 3. They served on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian in the southern Red Sea, where they executed strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
They are the oldest electronic attack squadron in the Navy, and the first Growler squadron in Navy history to score an air-to-air kill.
Based on the Super Hornet airframe, the two-seater, twin-turbofan Growlers integrate the latest electronic attack technology. They jam and blind the enemy before a single shot need be fired.
