Procession brings fallen aviator home

Whidbey Islanders donning neon vests and wielding American flags braved the harsh wind along Highway 20 Monday evening. Veterans and family members wrapped themselves in blankets and hugged under the strobe of police and tow truck lights from the side of the road. Cars honked as they passed through the dark, wet night.

Each minute felt more poignant than the last as bystanders awaited the procession of Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, one of the two aviators lost in the Oct. 15 EA-18G Growler crash during routine training near Mount Rainier, as she returned home from Dover Air Force Base.

Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans, another aviator lost in the incident, will return later this week privately per her family’s request.

Don Scoby, post commander of the Scottish American Military Society Pig War Post 1859, stepped away from the crowd. He wore traditional highland dress and played “Flowers of the Forest” from his bagpipe, a Scottish folksong that went on to honor the loss of soldiers during World War I.

Among Scoby stood the Whidbey Island chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of Union Veterans and Veterans of Foreign War as well as veterans and civilians from the general public.

“I thought it was important, being honored to be a part of a veteran’s organization, that we could suit up and show up,” Scoby said.

It stopped raining just long enough for Scoby to play his bagpipe. In minutes, squad lights flickered from the north.

“I knew that would bring them out,” he said.

Then, it fell deadly silent. A line of police cars led the way, and those standing knew Wileman was coming by the string of red and blue lights. The lights passed, and then did the hearse, black as the night.

After a breath, “Flowers of the Forest” began again.

“It may be a stormy, scary night, dark with traffic,” said Heidi Hiatt of the Scottish American Military Society, “but it’s worth it to be out here for her.”

Amie Welden, a veteran and wife of a flier, wrapped her arms around her daughter, Kailee.

“Whenever something like this happens, and it’s happened more than we’d like to acknowledge, but it happens, we always want to come out and show our respect and give thanks,” she said. “It’s a small little town.”

Wileman, a 31-year-old Californian and member of the VAQ-130 squadron, had returned home in July from 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.

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 leadership was highlighted during VAQ-130’s “Dirt Det,” where she was designated the Officer in Charge. Wileman was also a Landing Signal Officer, a vital role in the squadron to ensure fellow aviators safely return.

Even when recovering alerts the squadron was under attack by Houthi terrorists, she brought all aircraft aboard safely. She accrued three Strike Flight Air Medals for her combat operations between December 2023 and April 2024.

“As a woman, I am absolutely amazed by what she was able to accomplish,” Hiatt said. “She was a true trailblazer, and we just want to make sure to honor a fallen American hero. It’s rare that somebody’s lost from up here from what I know, but we want to be here for her. This is what everybody here does.”

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 she will be remembered for her tenacity and positive energy.

According to a press release from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the families of both Wileman and Evans wish to express their gratitude for the gracious support from the local and surrounding communities since the incident.

“I understand and respect the other family’s preferences,” Scoby said, “but certainly they are in our prayers as well.”

Amie Welden holds her daughter, Kailee, before the procession of Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, one of the two aviators lost in the Oct. 15 EA-18G Growler crash during routine training near Mount Rainier, as she returned home from Dover Air Force Base on Monday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)