The U.S. Navy announced Sunday that two pilots missing in a fighter jet crash near Mount Rainier in Washington state last week have been killed.
Lieutenant Commander Naval Flight Officer Lindsey P. Evans, 31, and Naval Aviator Lt. Selina N. Wileman, 31, were killed in the Oct. 15 crash of the EA-18G Growler they were aboard. . Both men are from California, the Navy announced Monday.
The Navy said the electronic warfare aircraft was on a routine training flight when it crashed east of Mount Rainier around 3:23 p.m. The plane’s wreckage was discovered on Wednesday, but two crew members remained missing and a search for their bodies continued.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of our two beloved Zappers,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Warburton, commander of the 130th Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ), referring to the squadron members’ nickname.
President Joe Biden said Monday that he and First Lady Jill Biden are mourning the deaths of the two aviators.
“They are one of our nation’s most capable troops, and they just returned to the United States after a long deployment to the Middle East defending against Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea,” Biden said in a statement. ” he said.
Mr Warburton said search teams were continuing to comb a wide area, “recovering debris and planning for a long-term salvage and recovery operation”. The crash site is about 6,000 feet above sea level in a wooded area east of Mount Rainier, the Navy said last week.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, the Navy said.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, where VAQ-130 is based, said Monday that Evans and Wileman are pioneers and role models.
“While accustomed to the spotlight, Evans always presented himself as a humble but strong leader – a quiet professional,” the naval base said.
Evans also participated in an all-female Super Bowl flyover in 2023, which the base called a historic moment to commemorate 50 years of women flying in the Navy.
The Naval Air Station said in a statement that Wileman “has established himself as an energetic, vocal and positive influence at VAQ-130.”
“Known for his heart of gold, passion and constant smile, Wileman was committed to always improving and growing, not only for himself but for all the sailors and officers around him,” the aviation agency said.
Evans and Wileman also carried out attacks on Houthi-held areas in Yemen in their most recent deployment, making them “one of the few women to fly combat missions on land,” the agency said.
