U.S. Naval officers, on Monday, recognized the 2 crew members who died final week in a Navy jet crash close to Mount Rainier in Washington state, as two 31-year-old aviators from California.
The fighter jet pilots have been recognized as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, a Naval Aviator.
Evans and Wileman died when their EA-18G Growler jet from the Digital Assault Squadron out of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station crashed on a mountainside east of Mount Rainier on Tuesday afternoon.
The wreckage of the jet was situated resting about 6,000 ft up in a distant, steep and heavily-wooded space, and till Sunday, the standing of the crew remained a thriller with out a website evaluation of the particles space.
NAVY JET LOCATED AFTER CRASHING NEAR MOUNT RAINIER IN WASHINGTON
An EA-18G Growler takes off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island throughout an train in 2016. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Occasions through AP)
Military Particular Forces troopers skilled in mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical and technical communication expertise wanted to navigate the tough terrain assisted with efforts to find the lacking crew members as shortly as potential.
As soon as Evans and Wileman have been situated on Sunday, efforts switched from search and rescue efforts to restoration operations.
Evans, who hailed from Palmdale, California, made historical past as a part of the first-ever all-female group to fly over a Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 12, 2023, celebrating 50 years of ladies flying within the Navy, Navy spokesperson Steve Fiebing informed The Related Press.
NAVY CONFIRMS DEATH OF CREW AFTER JET CRASHES NEAR MOUNT RAINIER IN WASHINGTON
Lt. Commander Lyndsay Evans, a Naval Flight Officer. (U.S. Navy through AP)
Ladies first started coming into the U.S. Navy flight faculty in 1973.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country,” Evans informed the Los Angeles Occasions in an article in regards to the flyover in 2023. “Serving in the Navy means being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Wileman was commissioned into the Navy in 2018 and joined the “Zapper” squadron based mostly out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in 2021. Throughout her profession, she earned the Nationwide Protection Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal and a Fight Motion Ribbon.
NAVY PARACHUTIST CRASH-LANDS ON MOTHER AND TEENAGER DURING SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMANCE: VIDEO
Lt. Serena Wileman, a Naval Aviator. (U.S. Navy through AP)
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., issued an announcement on the deaths of Evans and Wileman.
“I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of Lt. Commander Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman,” Murray wrote on X. “I am so proud of both of these women’s trailblazing careers—their service has cleared a path for the women who will come after them.”
The Navy mentioned the investigation into the reason behind the crash is ongoing.
US NAVY LOOKS TO ROBOTS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO EXTEND VESSEL HEALTH AND MAINTENANCE
A U.S. Navy pickup truck is seen in a parking zone close to Pear Butte, Yakima County, Thursday, because the search continues for 2 fighter pilots whose EA-18G Growler jet crashed east of Mount Rainier, Wash. (Nick Wagner/The Seattle Occasions through AP)
The EA-18G is a variant of the F/A-18 household of plane, outfitted with a classy digital warfare suite that’s used for tactical jamming and digital safety, in accordance with the Navy’s web site.
The jet was constructed to switch the EA-6B Prowler, and first went into manufacturing in October 2004.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The jet made its inaugural flight in August 2006, and the primary supply of the plane was made on June 3, 2008, to VAQ 129 at NAS Whidbey Island.
Every aircraft comes with a price ticket of $67 million.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
