WHIDBEY ISLAND — The crew of a Navy Growler from Whidbey Island that crashed on a routine training flight were declared dead Sunday.
On Sunday, the Navy announced it had switched its mission from search and rescue to a recovery for the two aviators Electronic Attack Squadron 130, known as the “Zappers.” The Navy said it would release the crew members’ identities in 24 hours after next of kin had been notified.
“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 130. “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.”
Personnel continued searching for the crew members. The cause of the crash was under investigation.
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At 3:23 p.m. Tuesday, the Boeing-made aircraft from Electronic Attack Squadron 130 crashed about 30 miles west of Yakima. The wreckage was found Wednesday.
The squadron, also known as VAQ-130, are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island north of Oak Harbor and recently completed a combat deployment on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
While deployed, the squadron carried out operations in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden “to maintain the freedom of navigation in international waterways,” the Navy said in a press release in July.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; X: @GoldsteinStreet.
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