WASHINGTON D.C.—Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) honored Lieutenant Commander Lyndsey Evans, 31, and Lieutenant Serena Wileman, 31, two high skilled, combat-decorated Naval aviators who tragically lost their lives when their EA-18G Growler aircraft crashed near Mount Rainier on October 15 during a routine training flight.
Wileman’s remains were transported to her home in Oak Harbor earlier this month and Evans’ remains were transported to her home in Anacortes that same week.
“Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman were exemplary leaders who deeply believed in their country, their mission, and their fellow Naval aviators,” Larsen said during his House floor speech last Thursday.
Both natives to California, the aviators proudly served their country with the Electronic Attack Squadron or VAQ130, also known as “the Zappers,” which is based in Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Larsen’s district.
The two had recently returned from a nine-month deployment at sea, distinguishing themselves in combat operations to defend U.S. and coalition forces and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Middle East.
In a tribute to Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island wrote that “beyond their names and ranks they were role models, trailblazers, and women who influenced and touched countless people on the flight deck and well beyond.”
“My sympathies are with the families of Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Evans during this very difficult time and on behalf of my constituents, I thank them for their service, and sacrifice,” said Larsen honoring the combat-decorated naval aviators.
The pilots crashed east of Mount Rainier in a densely forested area about 6,000 feet above sea level. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Evans was commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) after graduating from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and earned her “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Officer out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
In 2023, she flew in an all-female Super Bowl flyover, a historic moment marking 50 years of women flying in the Navy. This event also symbolized the progress of women in aviation across all military branches, according to the U.S. Navy.
Upon completing a 12-week HAVOC graduate-level course at NAS Fallon (the Top Gun of the Growler community), Evans earned the honor and responsibility of becoming a Growler Tactics Instructor.
While deployed with the CVW-3 and the IKE Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) in the Red Sea, Evans coordinated and executed multiple combat strikes into Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, making her one of the few women to fly combat missions over land.
Evans was awarded two Single Action Air Medals for her exceptional performance during strikes on January 12 and 22, 2024. She also earned three Strike Flight Air Medals for her contributions to missions flown between December 21, 2023, and March 29, 2024.
Also a native Californian, Evans’ co-pilot Wileman was a senior first-tour Naval Aviator. She assisted Evans in leading multiple successful strikes in Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen during her deployment from 2023-2024. Wileman’s exceptional leadership was highlighted during VAQ-130’s “Dirt Det,” where she was designated the Officer in Charge.
Evans eventually oversaw all detachment operations enabling the support of multiple flights in the defense of U.S. and Coalition forces in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Prosperity Guardian.
Due to her unrelenting efforts, Wileman accrued three Strike Flight Air Medals for her role in combat operations between December 17, 2023, and April 5, 2024.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
