Fairchild Airmen respond to Navy plane crash

Published March 12, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A team of Fairchild Airmen traveled to Harrington, Wash., Monday after an EA-6B Prowler from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island crashed.

The Prowler, from Electronic Attack Squadron 129, was on a routine training flight when it crashed in an unpopulated area. All three crew members perished in the accident.

"It's always a sad day when we lose fellow service members," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the three Sailors who lost their lives Monday."

At the request of Navy officials, experts from Fairchild traveled to the area - about an hour from the base - to secure the area, gather evidence for the investigation board and work with the media to keep the public informed.

"We're here to help our joint partners and will continue to support this effort for as long as we're needed," Newberry said.

An initial team of 20 Airmen responded to the crash site while Team Fairchild activated its emergency operations center to monitor and coordinate the ongoing response with officials from the Navy as well as from the local area.

"I'm extremely proud of our teams who were flexible and proactive about finding ways to help," Newberry said. "It's vital for us be first-class partners with our sister services and first-class neighbors with the community. We'll continue working closely with everyone involved to provide whatever help we can."

The EA-6B is used to jam enemy radar and communications, providing an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft, ground troops and ships, according to the fact sheet on Navy.mil. The plane is flown by Naval as well as Marine Corps aviators.

A safety investigation is underway to determine the cause.