Posted on 10/21/2024 8:25:40 AM PDT by Red Badger
The two aviators who were missing after a Navy Growler crashed east of Mount Rainier last week have died, officials said Sunday.
The announcement comes five days after the EA-18G Growler crashed Tuesday afternoon near White Pass during a training flight. Authorities located the wreckage a day later.
No information was provided as of Sunday evening about whether the aviators’ remains had been found.
Based in Oak Harbor, on Whidbey Island, the pair belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, known as the “Zappers.”
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, in a statement. “Our priority right now is taking care of the families of our fallen aviators, and ensuring the well-being of our Sailors and the Growler community. We are grateful for the ongoing teamwork to safely recover the deceased.”
The search efforts shifted from a rescue to a recovery effort Sunday morning, according to a news release. The Navy will release the identities of the two aviators 24 hours after their next of kin are notified.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The jet crashed around 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, the Navy said. Aerial crews found the wreckage Wednesday but the “mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility,” complicated the search, according to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Navy search crews were able to reach the crash site Friday....
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
Sad Aviation Ping.....................
“mountainous terrain, cloudy weather, and low visibility,” complicated the search”
I’m suspecting those conditions were more than likely the cause of the crash to begin with. 😔
Another good article:
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2024/10/2-navy-aviators-are-declared-dead-after-a-fighter-jet-crashed-in-washington-state.html
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, commanding officer of the aviators’ Electronic Attack Squadron.
The EA-18G Growler is similar to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and includes sophisticated electronic warfare devices. Most of the Growler squadrons are based at Whidbey Island. One squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
The “Zappers” were recently deployed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
“The EA-18G Growler aircraft we fly represents the most advanced technology in airborne Electronic Attack and stands as the Navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments,” the Navy said on its website. Each aircraft costs about $67 million.
Probably never knew what hit them...............
Or what THEY hit
True.......................
“I’m suspecting those conditions were more than likely the cause of the crash to begin with.”
I’m wondering that, too. But the Growler is one of our most advanced eyes in the sky. The ISR capabilities of the Growler are incredible.
My son and I got to sit in one about 15 years ago at the Mojave Space Port. It was an awesome treat for us and to be talking to the two aviators. They were getting in training hours by flying to Denver to have lunch with one of their fathers!
Zap goes the growler. DEI?
Isn’t a Growler an EA6-B type aircraft? Pictures here are showing it as an F-15.
The Growler is based on a stretched F-18 air frame. So, basically a fighter made into an electronic warfare aircraft.
The EA6-B was based on the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. Both of these have been retired.
Also, the EA-6B was a two seater in the attack aircraft, stretched into a four seater. The newer EA-18G went from one seat in the fighter to two. This is a benefit from improved electronics requiring less people to operate.
“They were getting in training hours by flying to Denver to have lunch with one of their fathers!”
I’m sure they omitted that part from the flight log. Lol!
The day the Growler went down, the weather was good. Not sunny great. But not foggy, rainy.
The Growlers often fly low and fast through the mountain area. It was not negligent flying. Locals who live there have their windows rattled often.
Nope. Wiki —> The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy.
Makes one wonder what their mission profile was. Did they have a hard deck, radar altimeter, etc.
Well there’s also the possibility that the crew was flying outside the intended framework of the exercise.....I hope not but it wouldn’t the first time it’s happened.
Also, another scenario is a double engine failure.....super rare but it has happened.
I doubt that the wokesters at the ST could tell the difference between an F18 and a Stuka.
“The EA6-B was based on the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. Both of these have been retired”
The Navy got their money’s worth out of those platforms.
The J-52 engines that powered those two were tired to say the least......trust me I KNOW. 😏
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