The U.S. Navy is mourning two aviators killed when an EA-18G Growler crashed near Mount Rainier in Washington state. The service identified them as Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, both 31, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, was known for participating in the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII in 2023, marking 50 years of women in naval aviation. Wileman, commissioned in 2018, later joined the “Zappers” squadron and earned multiple commendations during her service, including the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Wreckage from the aircraft was discovered a day after the crash at roughly 6,000 feet in steep, heavily forested terrain, significantly complicating recovery efforts. The Navy confirmed both aviators had died and transitioned from search-and-rescue operations to recovery work. Squadron leadership emphasized their focus on supporting the families of the fallen and their unit members during the aftermath. Washington Governor Jay Inslee authorized National Guard support to secure the crash area while investigators continue working to determine the cause of the accident.
The EA-18G Growler, a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, serves as the Navy’s primary electronic warfare aircraft and has been based at Whidbey Island since 2008. U.S. Senator Patty Murray paid tribute to Evans as a pioneering figure in naval aviation and honored Wileman’s dedicated service, noting that both aviators leave behind a legacy that will inspire future generations. Their deaths represent a profound loss for the Navy and the broader military aviation community as investigations continue.
