Older version, EA-6B Prowler (Grumman), versus the newest version, EA-18G Growler (Boeing).....................
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 ...
We train as we fight.
Hmm, okay. Somehow when I went on a tour of the Whidbey NAS the EA-6B was pointed out as a Growler so dunno; others have posted to me as a correction to me which I thank them.
EW version of the A6 was known as the “Prowler”.
Makes sense on how I confused Growler with Prowler. Thanks.
Top Gun: Maverick had scenes filmed on the Olympic Peninsula flying F-18’s through the Olympic Mountains. I hope the pilot was trying to fly like what was shown in the movie.
Older version, EA-6B Prowler (Grumman), versus the newest version, EA-18G Growler (Boeing).....................
Yeah, as I mentioned, I got confused between Prowler and Growler but thanks.
Would have thought the electronics alone would cost that much.
It isn't funny and it isn't appropriate. Two of my fellow airmen died and you think it's amateur comedy time.
Absolutely true. Many of the comments on this thread indicate that posters are not aware of contemporary combat skills like flying nap of the earth, pop-up targeting and terrain masking.
Even more than that, military flying is a dangerous business in itself. I have, sadly, attended my share of "peacetime" funerals
Female crew, as Homer would say D’OH
What do you expect from Fake News.
Just like every handgun is a Glock.
The A-6 EW variant is long gone.
Yeah, I’ve haven’t trusted the news since the early 2000’s ...
I wonder if this is another Hultgreen type case.
Shouldn’t be, but how do you fly an EA-18G Growler into a mountain on a clear day?
Must have been a training flight, jammers usually need to be up in the open to operate efficiently
Naval aviators, not navy aviators.
And the “P” ad “S” in “Corpsman” both are silent.
They were someone’s daughters, granddaughters, wives, sisters, mothers, friends, and they died in a fighter jet aircraft training exercise. They were training to kill and die for us and that’s just what they did. Respect is due.
Today we have identities with photos of the crew...
Was the backseater a pilot also?
We lost 5 pilots last week here in So Cal.
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