During a recent interview, Navy Commander Timothy Warburton, head of the Electronic Attack Squadron 130—known as the “Zappers”—saddenedly confirmed the tragic loss of two female pilots who perished in a training accident in Washington State. “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the loss of two beloved Zapper members,” he stated. He emphasized that the squadron’s primary mission now is to care for the families of the fallen pilots while ensuring the rights of their sailors and crew are maintained. Warburton also expressed gratitude to the partners involved in the recovery effort.
According to reports from ABC News, the two pilots—Captain Serena N. Wileman, the front seat pilot, and Major Lyndsay P. Evans, the electronic warfare officer—were conducting a routine training flight in an EA-18G Growler, which had taken off from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station on October 15. Tragically, the aircraft crashed around 3:23 PM in northeastern Washington, with search crews later locating the wreckage on the eastern slopes of Mount Rainier.
Navy officials revealed that both pilots, aged 31, hailed from California and were assigned to the Third Air Wing. They had recently returned from a nine-month deployment with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea region.
During their service, Wileman and Evans participated in numerous challenging missions and were well-regarded for their exceptional performance. Colonel Marvin Scott, commander of the Third Wing, highlighted their skills, stating they were “two highly skilled pilots and recipients of combat awards.”
The Second Carrier Strike Group and the Third Air Wing issued a joint statement honoring the late pilots. “They were not just names and ranks; they were pioneers and role models for women in uniform. Their impact will resonate with countless colleagues serving on flight decks and beyond,” they affirmed.
As investigations into the crash continue, the Navy confirmed that the EA-18G Growler, valued at approximately $67 million, is equipped with cutting-edge electronic warfare technologies designed to serve as the first line of defense in combat operations.
