An aircraft from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island crashed in Eastern Washington on Monday morning, and all three crew members on board died, Navy authorities said.
An EA-6BNavy Prowler jet crashed Monday morning in Eastern Washington, killing all 3 military personnel on board, who live nearby in town.
The NAS Whidby Island is the home of a US Navy tactical electronic warfare squadron. The naval air station is known to support the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, EA-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, P-3C Orion, EP-3E ARIES II and C-9 Skytrain aircraft.
The naval air station also maintains a Search and Rescue Unit, flying three Sikorsky MH-60S Nighthawks. With the addition of the MH-60S, Navy Search and Rescue provides 24 day and night maritime, inland and mountainous rescue support for Department of Defense personnel and the greater Pacific Northwest community.
The aircraft can be used to jam enemy radar systems, and to gather radio intelligence on those and other enemy air defense systems. In addition, the EA-6B is capable of carrying and firing anti-radiation missiles (ARM), such as the HARM missile. The aircrew of the EA-6B consists of one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers (ECMOs), though it is not uncommon for only 2 ECMOs to be used on missions.
