YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. – The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with local law enforcement and partner agencies, is intensifying its search and rescue operations on a mountain where a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jet crashed on Oct. 15. The aircraft went down at about 6,000 feet elevation in a remote, steep, and heavily wooded area east of Mount Rainier.
Special forces from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are aiding the search efforts. These forces bring essential mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills to navigate the challenging terrain of the Cascade Mountain Range.
Capt. David Ganci, commander of the Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, emphasized the urgency of the operation. “Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible,” he said.
The Navy said there are no hazards associated with the crash site. Capt. Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of NAS Whidbey Island, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and confidence in the capabilities of the responding teams. He assured that any additional resources needed would be requested through official channels.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and updates will be provided by the Navy.