Navy Mourns Loss of Two Trailblazing Aviators After EA-18G Growler Crash Near Mount Rainier

Both women were recognized as leaders who helped expand opportunities for women in naval aviation. Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, took part in the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, an event marking 50 years of women in naval flight. Wileman, a Naval Aviator commissioned in 2018, had earned the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon among other awards. Colleagues and senior leaders described them as skilled professionals, mentors, and role models whose careers demonstrated both technical excellence and a commitment to opening doors for those who followed.

Tributes arrived from across the service and from elected officials. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray called the pair pioneering leaders whose service advanced the presence of women in high-performance combat aviation. The broader Growler community and the Navy as a whole continue to process the loss while underscoring the inherent risks of military flight training and the lasting contributions of those who accept them.

The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing. In the meantime, the Navy has emphasized its priority of caring for the families of Lt. Cmdr. Evans and Lt. Wileman and of preserving the memory of two officers who embodied professionalism, courage, and the steady expansion of opportunity in naval aviation.