### Fatal Crash Claims Lives of Two Navy Aviators Near Mount Rainier

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. - The U.S. Navy has reported the tragic loss of two aviators in an EA-18G Growler crash near Mount Rainier. The aviators, identified as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, were conducting a routine training flight when the incident occurred on October 15. Both officers, aged 31 and hailing from California, were declared dead by the Navy on Sunday, with recovery operations commencing soon after.

The aircraft wreckage was located on October 16 at approximately 12:30 p.m. in a challenging, steep, and heavily wooded area at an elevation of around 6,000 feet. Due to the remote nature of the crash site, which is inaccessible to motorized vehicles, recovery efforts have proven to be complex and demanding.

Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130—known as "The Zappers"—expressed deep sorrow over the loss. He emphasized that the squadron's immediate focus is on supporting the families of the deceased aviators and ensuring the welfare of their fellow sailors and the broader Growler community.

The EA-18G Growler, which crashed, is a sophisticated electronic warfare aircraft closely related to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. These jets are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, with only one squadron, VAQ-141, stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan. The Growler is renowned for being the most advanced airborne electronic attack platform currently in production, boasting impressive specifications such as a 60.2-foot length, a wingspan of 44.9 feet, and 44,000 pounds of thrust.

Investigation teams are hard at work trying to determine the cause of the crash and are managing a meticulous recovery operation. The Navy has expressed its gratitude for the collaborative efforts put forth to safely recover the deceased and manage the salvage efforts in the challenging terrain.