On 17/5, two US Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare fighters collided and crashed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho while performing an airshow. All four pilots on board both aircraft ejected safely and are undergoing medical examinations. Following the incident, Mountain Home Air Force Base was locked down.

Video footage from the scene shows one EA-18G descending and reducing its separation as the other aircraft ascended. The two jets collided and appeared to lock together, spinning out of control before beginning to freefall. The pilots ejected, and the two EA-18G aircraft crashed on site and exploded.

US EA-18G fighters collide during a performance at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, on 17/5. *Video: Idaho News*

The US National Weather Service reported good visibility and wind gusts of approximately 47 km/h in the area at the time of the accident.

Organizers stated that the Mountain Home airshow featured aerial demonstrations and parachute jumps, aiming to "celebrate aviation history, as well as offer a glimpse into modern airpower capabilities."

This was the first airshow hosted by Mountain Home Air Force Base since 2018, when a paraglider died during a performance there. In 9/2003, an F-16 fighter jet experienced an issue while performing aerobatics over the base. The pilot successfully steered the aircraft away from populated areas and ejected just one second before impact.

The EA-18G, an electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet carrier-based fighter, is valued at approximately 70 million USD per aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with modern sensors and jamming systems, specializing in remote support for combat forces, suppressing enemy air defenses, and ensuring the survivability of long-range weapons.

Additionally, Growler aircraft can assist in the infiltration or extraction of special forces and ground units.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Idaho News)