Names of the two highly skilled, combat-decorated aviators who lost their lives during a routine training flight near Mount Rainier on Oct. 15 have just been released.
Flight Officer Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Naval Aviator Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, both 31 and from California, perished when their EA-18G Growler from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island crashed east of Mount Rainier. Recovery was hampered by the remoteness of the site, which is at 6,000-foot altitude.
The two “Zappers” of VAQ-130 had recently returned home following a combat deployment where an aircraft scored its first-ever air-to-air kill battling the Houthis.
The Zappers supported Operation Prosperity Guardian through the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Stait and Gulf of Aden. In Operation Yukon Lightning, Zappers executed nearly 700 combat missions to hinder Houthis, who control territory in Yemen and are backed by Iran, from attacking cargo ships.
Following her time at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Evans was commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and earned her “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Officer out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, according to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
As an EA-18G Electronic Warfare officer and veteran of two sea tours, she earned the respect of the Growler community for her tactical expertise, mentorship to those of all ranks and communities and ability to bring out the best in everyone around her.
In 2023, Evans was part of the 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.
After completing the challenging 12-week graduate-level course at Naval Air Station Fallon, the “Top Gun” of the Growler community, Evans earned the honor and responsibility of becoming a Growler Tactics instructor. She was then recognized as the 2024 Growler Tactics Instructor of the Year, a prestigious honor earned through her tactical acumen and leadership.
During her recent deployment, 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. In her critical role as VAQ-130’s training officer, the tactics she pioneered defending against Houthi aggressions directly contributed to the successful defense mission and will be used as a template in future fights.
Evans was awarded two Single Action Air Medals for her exceptional performance during strikes in January. She also earned three Strike Flight Air Medals for her contributions to missions flown between December 2023 and March 2024.
A native of California and commissioned through Officer Candidate School, Wileman was at the beginning of a promising career, the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service reports. As a senior first-tour Naval Aviator, she established herself as an energetic and vocal influence in VAQ-130.
During her recent deployment, Wileman planned and flew multiple strikes into Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, one of the few women to fly combat missions over land. Wileman’s exceptional leadership was highlighted during VAQ-130’s “Dirt Det,” where she was designated the Officer in Charge. Wileman was also a respected qualified Landing Signal Officer, a vital role in the squadron to ensure fellow aviators safely returned.
Even when recovering alerts the squadron was under attack by Houthi terrorists, she executed flawlessly, bringing all aircraft aboard safely. She accrued three Strike Flight Air Medals for her combat operations between December 2023 and April 2024.
Outside the cockpit, Wileman made everyone smile. She brought a sense of calm whether through a joke, a game of cribbage or a giant bear hug for whomever needed one.
Capt. Marvin Scott, commander of CVW-3, said Evans and Wileman will be remembered for their tenacity and positive energy.
“I have personally flown with both of these great Americans in both training and dynamic combat operations, and they always performed professionally and precisely. As true leaders in the Growler community, VAQ-130 and across my Air Wing, their contributions cannot be overstated; I could not be more proud to have served with each of them,” Scott said. “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.”
