The Navy has identified two female aviators who died when their electronic warfare aircraft crashed near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington state.
Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay P. Evans, 31, of Palmdale, California, and Lt. Serena N. Wileman, 31, of California, were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, also known as the “Zappers.” Both were stationed at the naval base north of Seattle when the EA-18G Growler went down on Monday.
Evans, a Naval Flight Officer, made history in 2023 when she participated in the first all-female flyover at Super Bowl LVII, celebrating 50 years of women in naval aviation. Wileman, commissioned as a Naval Aviator in 2018, joined the Zappers in 2021 and earned the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and Combat Action Ribbon during her service.
Military Response and Investigation
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of two cherished Zappers,” said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, the squadron’s commanding officer. “Our priority is supporting their families, our sailors, and the Growler community.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated the National Guard to provide continuous security at the crash site while Navy personnel prepare a long-term salvage operation. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The EA-18G Growler is a $67 million aircraft that serves as the Navy’s primary electronic warfare platform. The aircraft arrived at Whidbey Island in 2008 and has been deployed across global operations.
Legacy and Tributes
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who had previously met Evans at a base visit, called her “a pioneering leader who broke barriers and made history.” Murray extended her condolences to Wileman’s family as well, noting that both aviators “paved the way for generations of women who will follow in their footsteps.”
The deaths mark a significant loss for the Navy and the military aviation community. Evans and Wileman’s careers were defined by both their technical expertise and their contributions to expanding women’s roles in combat aviation.
This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
