A U. S. Navy EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 130 crashed near Mount Rainier during a routine training flight on Friday, leading to a significant search and rescue operation. The aircraft went down in a remote area approximately 30 miles west of Yakima, challenging rescue teams with its steep and wooded terrain. As the search entered its fourth day, personnel from local law enforcement and a special forces unit are meticulously searching for debris and gathering information in the snow-covered wilderness.

The fate of the two crew members remains unknown, and their names have not been released pending notification of their next of kin. Capt. David Ganci, the commander of the Navy's Electronic Attack Wing, reiterated the importance of safely locating the crew and urged the public to refrain from speculation. The squadron, known as the 'Zappers,' has recently returned from a combat deployment aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, conducting operations in critical international waterways, underscoring their role in maintaining freedom of navigation.

As rain is forecasted, the search effort remains urgent and focused on the safe recovery of the missing aviators.