The fighter jet crashed Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. PDT during a routine training flight, according to Navy officials. The names of the flight crew have not been released.

Wednesday, the wreckage was found on a steep, heavily forested slope at an elevation of 6,000 feet east of Mount Rainier. The area is not accessible by roads, and search crews have been hampered by low visibility in the area.

Military authorities said that the status of the crew cannot be confirmed without a site assessment of the debris area. It is not known if the crew was able to eject before the crash.

• READ MORE: Crashed U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Located near Mount Rainier

“Our priority is to locate our two aviators as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Captain David Ganci, commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Adhering to Department of Defense procedure, we cannot identify or confirm the names of aircrew involved in a mishap until 24-hours after their next of kin have been notified of their status.”

Civilian law enforcement, mountain search and rescue teams, and military assets are being used in the search. Thursday, soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, joined the search. They bring specialized skills in mountaineering, high-angle rescue, medical, and technical communication skills that are necessary to access the site in the Cascade Mountain Range.

“We appreciate the community support as experienced personnel respond around the crash site,” said Captain Nathan Gammache, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. “We are confident that we have the capability we need at this time and will request any additional capabilities, if needed, via official channels in coordination with the on-site incident commander.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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The fighter jet was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 130 (VAQ-130), known as the “Zappers,” based out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island north of Seattle.

The aircraft crashed Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. PDT during a routine training flight, according to a statement released by NAS Whidbey. The names of the flight crew had not been released.

Following the incident, the Navy launched a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter to locate the crew and examine the crash site. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, however, the status of the crew was unknown. 

Search Resumes 

Wednesday morning, the weather in the vicinity of the search area was reported as low clouds, precipitation, icing, and turbulence, according to Leidos Flight Service.

A temporary flight restriction was put in place over the search area from the surface to 10,000 feet to protect the aircraft participating in the efforts. Pilots in the area were advised to check NOTAMs for details.

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an F/A-18 variant that integrates electronic attack technology, including tactical jamming pods and communication countermeasures.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

This is a developing story.

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The large-scale exercise—dubbed “Red Flag 24-1″—will focus on overcoming pacing challenges with allies in the Indo-Pacific theater, the Air Force said. The realistic combat training exercise has nearly 2,000 participants, about 100 aircraft, and personnel from 30 U.S. and allied units, including the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). 

• READ MORE: Royal Australian Air Force Refuels USAF Aircraft in Trials

During the event, Red Flag participants will undergo a range of combat environment scenarios, including defensive counter air, offensive counter air suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive counter air-to-air interdiction, the service said.

“Training prioritizes first timer’s combat missions, mission commander upgrades, integration, and flag unique experiences that contribute most to readiness and partnering,” said Colonel Eric Winterbottom, commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

• READ MORE: Royal Air Force Tests Expeditionary Fueling System in Arctic Circle

The Royal Air Force’s presence in the exercise includes eight Typhoon fighters, a Voyager air-to-air refueling aircraft, a rivet joint aircrew, and air operation controllers.

RAAF said it has deployed about 150 of its personnel, along with six F-35A Lightning II fighters, marking the first time the country’s fighter jets have participated in the exercises.

• READ MORE: Downed WWII Lancaster Bomber Raised from Sea Floor

“Generations of RAAF aviators have come to this exercise since 1980, and it continues to evolve and reflect the threats and challenges faced on modern operations,” said RAAF Wing Commander Adrian Kiely, commanding officer of 3 Squadron Wing. “Exercise ‘Red Flag Nellis’ will test every facet of our F-35A capability, allow us to integrate with our American and British allies, and practice how we project force on combat operations.”

One of the world’s toughest air combat training environments, Exercise Red Flag Nellis 24-1, has now begun.#AusAirForce aviators have joined counterparts from @usairforce and @RoyalAirForce to hone their war-fighting skills.#RFNAFB #OurPartners @NellisAFB pic.twitter.com/T6dXe72LEk

— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) January 16, 2024

Red Flag exercises began at Nellis AFB in 1975, deploying lessons learned from Vietnam in order to expose military pilots to combat missions and increase their effectiveness and confidence. Exercises typically include a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and aerial refueling aircraft.

Red Flag 24-1 is set to conclude February 2.

The post ‘Red Flag-Nellis’ Intensive Fighter Training Underway in Nevada appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

This year’s aviation highlight of the game is the military flyover at the conclusion of the national anthem. The U.S. Navy will take center stage with an overflight celebrating 50 years of women naval aviators.

Salute to Women Naval Aviators

The flyover formation will include two F/A-18F Super Hornets from the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, an F-35C Lightning II from the “Argonauts” of VFA-147, and an EA-18G Growler from the “Vikings” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.

According to the Navy, the aircraft selected represent cutting-edge technology of the “Carrier Air Wing of the Future.”

• READ MORE: Have You Checked the NOTAMs Today?

The aircraft are stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, and NAS Whidbey Island, Washington will stage out of nearby Luke Air Force Base.

In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola, Florida. One year later, six of those eight women, who became known as “The First Six,” earned their Wings of Gold. Since then, women have served, operated, and led at every level of Naval Aviation.

Lt. Katie Martinez, a naval flight officer assigned to VFA-122, said she is looking forward to representing Naval Aviation at one of the world’s most-watched events. 

“It’s not a feeling I can even put into words,” Martinez said. “It doesn’t get bigger than the Super Bowl, and I am humbled and honored to be able to participate with my friends and fellow Naval Aviators as part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

TFR details

During the Super Bowl, most flights above and in the vicinity of the stadium are not permitted, with certain exceptions. Per the FAA, the only flights permitted during the TFR will be emergency/life-saving flights by medical and law enforcement personnel. They must be coordinated with Phoenix Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON).

The NOTAM lists all the activities that are not allowed during the TFR, which includes flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, sightseeing operations, maintenance test flights, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, utility and pipeline survey operations, and the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones.

No Drone Zone

The TFR for drones begins several days before the game. Beginning February 9 through game day, airspace in downtown Phoenix is restricted up to 1,000 feet from 6 a.m. and midnight daily.

On game day—February 12—restrictions begin at 11 a.m. (MST) within two nautical miles around the stadium and up to 2,000 feet in altitude. The restrictions expand at 3:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. (MST) to a 30-nautical-mile radius and up to 18,000 feet in altitude.

Failure to respect the TFR will cost you, as the FAA notes penalties could include confiscation of the drone, a fine in excess of $30,000, and potential criminal prosecution.

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