The tragic loss of two pioneering female aviators from California, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay "Miley" Evans and Lt. Serena "Dug" Wileman, has been confirmed by the U.S. Navy, following a jet crash near Mount Rainier in Washington. The two were the sole crew aboard an EA-18G Growler during what was reported as a routine training flight on last Tuesday before the aircraft went down, according to NBC News.
The search for Evans and Wileman extended over several days in the remote and difficult terrain near the mountain, their status remaining uncertain at an elevation of about 6,000 feet in heavily wooded territory. The loss was first announced on Sunday, with their identities following the next day. "It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers," said Cmdr. Timothy Warburton, their squadron's commanding officer, NBC News reported.
Both aviators were trailblazers in their field, with Evans having a particularly notable moment serving in the 2023 all-female Super Bowl pregame flyover. She was distinguished as a pilot and instructor, earning her the title of Growler instructor of the year, as The Los Angeles Times noted. President Joe Biden acknowledged their sacrifices, stating, "They were among our nation’s finest and had just recently returned to the United States after an extended deployment to the Middle East defending against Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea," as reported by NBC News.
Paying homage to the impactful and inspirational lives of Evans and Wileman, the Navy and those who knew them recount their contributions not only as aviators but as mentors and friends. Wileman, specifically, took every chance to inspire future generations, understanding the underrepresentation of women in naval aviation. "That's really what a lot of us are about and what Serena was definitely about. So I'm sure there's a long line of young girls out there who may actually enter aviation because of Serena Wileman," Jill Meyers, Wileman’s long-time mentor and friend, told CBS Sacramento.
The commanding officer of CVW-3, Capt. Marvin Scott, described Evans and Wileman as both tenacious and outstanding for their contributions, accented by the energy they brought into the Navy. "Every member of the CVW-3 Battle Axe Team is heartbroken at the loss of these exceptional warriors; Dug and Miley truly represent the best that Naval Aviation has to offer, and they will absolutely be missed," Scott's sentiment was captured by The Los Angeles Times. Their legacy continues to shine a guiding light for many women to follow in their aviation footsteps.
