The Naval Air Station Whidbey Island confirmed in a statement that the two pilots were Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay P. Evans, aged 31, and Lieutenant Serena N. Wileman, also aged 31.
The Navy statement declared that Evans and Wileman, described as highly skilled, combat-decorated aviators, had recently returned from a deployment with their squadron, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, ‘Zappers’, with whom they spent nine months at sea as a part of Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE).
The Navy noted that Evans and Wileman had distinguished themselves in combat operations during their deployment, adding that the two women’s efforts “directly contributed to the Navy’s mission defending US and Coalition forces while keeping the seas open and free with precision and purpose”.
Evans was an EA-18G Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) and veteran of two sea tours. According to the Navy’s statement, she earned the respect of the entire Growler community for her tactical expertise,
During their 2023-24 deployment, both Evans and Wileman coordinated and executed multiple combat strikes into Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, making them two of the few women to fly combat missions over land.
