### Rescuers Continue Search for Missing Crew After Navy Jet Crashes Near Mount Rainier

**YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash** - The fate of the two crew members aboard a downed Navy jet remains uncertain as search and rescue teams strive to reach the crash site east of Mount Rainier. According to the U.S. Navy, the area is characterized by steep, densely wooded terrain that is inaccessible by car.

In a Thursday night update, the Navy confirmed that personnel, alongside local law enforcement, and partner agencies, including soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations. The EA-18G Growler jet crashed on October 15, and the immediate objective is to locate and retrieve the missing aviators.

Captain David Gancy, commander of the Electronic Attack Wing of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, emphasized the urgency of the mission. "Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible," he stated. Despite the passage of three days since the crash, the Navy has not yet disclosed the identities of the two crew members aboard the aircraft.

Captain Gancy explained that this non-disclosure is in line with U.S. Department of Defense protocols. "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," he said. He also urged the public to avoid speculation to respect the privacy of the families affected by this tragic event.

Adding to the assurances, Captain Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey, where the crew members are stationed, expressed his confidence in the rescue teams. He believes that the resources at their disposal are adequate to reach the crash site, despite the challenging terrain.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and the situation remains fluid as rescuers work diligently to navigate the difficult environment and uncover more information.