Two United States Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided midair during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, forcing all four crew members to eject. The incident occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m. local time about two miles northwest of the base, according to military officials, who confirmed that all aviators were recovered and are in stabilized condition at a nearby medical facility.
The two aircraft were assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129, known as the Vikings, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State. The squadron had been performing a scheduled aerial demonstration for spectators at the two-day air show when the jets made contact during a maneuver and plummeted to the ground. Witnesses described hearing a loud boom followed by the sight of parachutes deploying as the crew members ejected from their cockpits.
Mountain Home Air Force Base immediately implemented a lockdown following the crash, halting all activities and clearing the air show grounds. Mountain Home police issued a public advisory urging residents and visitors to avoid traveling to the base while emergency response teams secured the crash site. The second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show was subsequently canceled as authorities prioritized the safety of attendees and the integrity of the investigation area.
The United States Navy confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the collision has been launched. Midair collisions during air show performances are extremely rare due to the rigorous training and safety protocols that military demonstration teams undergo. The EA-18G Growler is an advanced electronic warfare aircraft derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform and is a critical asset in the Navy's electronic attack mission, with each aircraft valued at approximately 68 million dollars.
Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed relief that all four crew members survived the incident, calling it a testament to the training and equipment provided to American service members. The Gunfighter Skies Air Show has been an annual event drawing tens of thousands of spectators to Mountain Home Air Force Base, and organizers stated they would cooperate fully with the investigation. The Navy is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks as investigators examine flight data recorders and debris from both aircraft.
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