18 May,2026 09:31 AM IST | Idaho | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. Pic/AFP
Two US Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jets collided midair during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday, forcing all four crew members to eject before the aircraft crashed, according to media reports.
The incident took place at around 12:10 pm local time during the second day of the air show. Officials confirmed that all four personnel onboard the two aircraft ejected safely and were later evaluated by medical teams.
The aircraft involved in the collision belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129, which is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
According to reports by Fox News, the two EA-18G Growler jets collided while performing as part of the air show demonstration near Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, said all four crew members managed to eject safely moments before the jets crashed to the ground.
Emergency teams were immediately deployed to the crash site as authorities secured the area and began preliminary investigations into the cause of the collision.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the two aircraft making contact in the air before four parachutes became visible. The footage later showed both aircraft falling rapidly before crashing and erupting into flames, sending large plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Local broadcaster KTVB reported that witnesses at the venue saw the collision occur during the live demonstration. Several attendees also shared visuals from the scene showing emergency crews rushing towards the crash area.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Mountain Home Gunfighters confirmed that an aircraft incident had occurred around two miles northwest of the air base during the event. Officials said emergency responders were on the scene and an investigation was underway.
The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft developed from the F/A-18 Super Hornet platform and is used by the US Navy for airborne electronic attack missions.
The aircraft is designed to jam enemy radar and communication systems and plays a major role in modern combat operations. The Growler is operated with a two-member crew consisting of a pilot and an electronic warfare officer.
Separately, the United States has announced a major modernisation programme for its Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter fleet.
According to a US Department of Defense contract announcement, Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth nearly USD 991 million for the production and delivery of 432 modification kits for F-35 fighter aircraft.
The order includes aircraft operated by the US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Navy and international partner nations participating in the Joint Strike Fighter programme.
The upgrades are part of the F-35's Block 4 modernisation programme, which includes more than 70 capability enhancements across all three variants of the aircraft.
According to Lockheed Martin, the improvements include increased missile-carrying capacity, upgraded electronic warfare systems, better target recognition technology and several classified combat capabilities.
The programme is aimed at strengthening the operational effectiveness of the F-35 fleet as global militaries continue investing in advanced air combat and electronic warfare technologies.
(With inputs from ANI)
