Mountain Rescue Special Forces Searched for Fallen Naval Aviators After Crash

By SOFREP

The tragic news about the two Navy aviators who lost their lives in a training flight last week has deeply affected the naval community.

The incident took place on Tuesday, October 15, when an EA-18G Growler jet, belonging to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), crashed during a routine exercise in the rugged, mountainous terrain east of Mount Rainier, Washington.

After several days of search efforts, the Navy officially declared the two aviators dead on Sunday, October 20.

What Happened?

The crash occurred during a training mission in the challenging landscape near Mount Rainier, an area known for its steep slopes and dense forest.

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Shortly after the crash, the Navy scrambled multiple search and rescue teams, including a US Navy MH-60S helicopter, to locate the wreckage and search for the crew. The operation soon grew to involve an Army Air Cavalry squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with local and tribal authorities.

It wasn’t until Wednesday that the wreckage was finally spotted at an elevation of 6,000 feet, but it became clear that reaching the crash site would be no easy task. The location’s steep, wooded terrain and poor weather conditions posed serious challenges for the rescue teams.