AP
The two Navy crew members killed in a jet fighter crash near Mount Rainier last week were identified as a pair of trailblazing aviators, including one female pilot who was part of a historic flyover at last year’s Super Bowl.
California natives Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, a Naval Aviator both died when their EA-18G Growler jet crashed Tuesday during a training flight near the Washington state mountain, officials said.
The women, both 31, were part of the Electronic Attack Squadron known as the “Zappers” and carried out multiple strikes on Houthi terrorists over the past year as part of Carrier Air Wing Three.
The pair were declared dead on Sunday after an aerial crew spotted the wreckage at about 6,000 feet in a remote, steep and heavily wooded area, according to officials.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,” said 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.”
Evans was part of a historic moment when she participated in the first-ever all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII to commemorate women flying in the Navy for 50 years, a Navy spokesperson said.
During her 2023-24 deployment that lasted nine months, she coordinated and carried out multiple airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, the Defense Visual Information Distribution Services said.
Wileman, who joined the Navy in 2018, also planned and flew multiple strikes against the Houthis in Yemen during her 2023-24 deployment.
Both Wileman and Evans were among a small group of women to fly combat missions over land, officials said. Each notched accolades due to successful missions.
Wileman also earned the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon.
“I have personally flown with both of these Great Americans in both training and dynamic combat operations, and they always performed professionally and precisely,” Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of the CVW-3 said in a statement.
“As true leaders in the Growler community, VAQ-130, and across my Air Wing, their contributions cannot be overstated; I could not be more proud to have served with each of them.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
With Post wires