Search and rescue teams continue their efforts to locate two crew members of an EA-18G Growler following the aircraft’s crash in the mountainous terrain near Mt. Rainier on Tuesday afternoon.

WHERE ARE THE CREW MEMBERS? HAVE THEY ALREADY BEEN FOUND?

By Wednesday at approximately 12:30 p.m., crews from Yakima County Search and Rescue along with many others successfully located the wreckage on a steep hillside to the east of the iconic mountain. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and officials confirmed that the U.S. Navy has assumed responsibility for both the search operations and the ongoing investigation.

AN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IS NOW OPEN

In a press release from the Yakima County Sheriff's Office, it was announced that an Emergency Operations Center has been established at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island to facilitate coordinated response efforts.

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Yakima County Sheriff's Office
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THE NAVY IS THANKFUL FOR ALL THE LOCAL HELP

Capt. David Ganci, commander of the Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, emphasized the collaborative efforts of local and military entities during this critical operation. “I am thankful for the tremendous teamwork displayed by the NAS Whidbey Island squadrons — VAQ, VP, VQ, TOCRON 10, and SAR — as Team Whidbey continues to respond to our tragic mishap,” said Capt. Ganci. “I am also grateful to local law enforcement, responders, and tribal communities whose partnership has been essential in planning our critical next steps for access to the site.”

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THE SHERIFF IS THANKFUL FOR SO MANY WHO ARE DEDICATED SEARCHERS

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office expressed appreciation for the swift identification of the crash location, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by searchers. “We are thankful to our search and rescue team for finding the crash site quickly, given the steep mountainous terrain and less-than-ideal weather,” the office stated in a Facebook post. “We have highly trained and skilled volunteers who serve the Yakima Valley community honorably. We are also thankful to the Goose Prairie community for all your help.”

THE MILITARY IS BESIDE THE FAMILIES OF THE TWO CREW MEMBERS

As the search for the missing crew members continues, officials urge the public to keep the families of the Navy personnel in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The community has rallied together to provide support to those affected by the incident, with assurances from local authorities that they are dedicated to assisting the military families involved. The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing, with additional updates expected as information becomes available.

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