The two Navy crew members killed in last week's jet fighter crash near Mount Rainier were two pioneering aviators, including a female pilot who took part in the historic flyover during last year's Super Bowl. It turned out that.
A lieutenant colonel from California. Naval flight officer Lindsay P. Evans and naval aviator Lt. Selina N. Wileman were both killed when their EA-18G Growler jet crashed during a training flight near the mountains of Washington state on Tuesday. announced the official.
The women, both 31, are members of an electronic attack squadron known as “Zappers” that flew multiple attacks against Houthi terrorists over the past year as part of the 3rd Carrier Air Wing.
The two were pronounced dead Sunday when airmen discovered the wreckage at about 6,000 feet on a steep, remote, wooded area, officials said.
“We are sorry to hear about the loss of our two beloved Zappers,” said Timothy Warburton, 130th Electronic Attack Squadron commander.
“Our current priorities are to care for the families of our deceased airmen and ensure the well-being of our Sailors and Growler communities. We appreciate your continued teamwork in safely recovering the deceased. .”
A Navy spokesperson said Evans was part of a historic moment when she took part in the first all-female flight during Super Bowl II, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of women's flight in the Navy.
During her nine-month deployment in 2023-24, she coordinated and carried out multiple airstrikes into Houthi-held areas in Yemen, according to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Agency.
Wileman, who joined the Navy in 2018, planned and flew multiple attacks against the Houthis in Yemen during his 2023-2024 deployment.
Both Ms. Wilman and Ms. Evans were among a small group of women who served in combat missions on land, officials said. Each notch is awarded for mission success.
Wileman also received the National Defense Medal, the Naval Unit Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
“I have personally flown with two of these great Americans in both training and dynamic combat operations, and they have always been professional and accurate,” Col. Marvin Scott, commander of CVW-3, said in a statement. We took action,” he said.
“As true leaders of the Growler community, VAQ-130, and my entire wing, their contributions cannot be overstated. I could not be more proud to serve alongside each and every one of them. You can't.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
with post wire
