U.S. Navy Tactical Demonstration Teams Grounded Following Growler Crash
Less than one week following a mid-air collision between two E/A-18G Growlers at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, U.S. Naval Air Forces has issued a safety stand down for all four U.S. Navy Tactical Demonstration Teams.
During a Sunday demonstration by the VAQ-129 “Vikings,” also known as the U.S. Navy Growler Airshow Team, at Mountain Home Air Force Base’s Gunfighter Skies Air Show, two E/A-18G Growlers collided in mid-air during a reposition two miles northwest of the base. All four Naval Aviators ejected safely as both aircraft fell to the ground, causing a large fireball and plume of black smoke. One person was treated for a non-life threatening injury at a local hospital as a result of the Sunday crash, according to a statement from Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) Growler Demonstration Team out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington is only one of four teams affected by the safety stand down. Two F/A-18F Rhino Demonstration Teams, Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), known as the “Flying Eagles,” and Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), known as the “Gladiators,” are also grounded during the safety stand down. VFA-122, operating as the West Coast Rhino Demonstration Team, is based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California. VFA-106, operating as the East Coast Rhino Demonstration Team, is based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia. The final tactical demonstration team grounded following Sunday’s crash is Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), known as the “Rough Raiders.” Based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, the “Rough Raiders” operate as the U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II Demonstration Team.
With the safety stand down In place, all four tactical demonstration teams are still permitted to conduct flyovers and appear at air shows as static displays, but will be unable to conduct aerial demonstrations.
While the U.S. Navy grounds the four tactical demonstration teams operated by active Attack and Strike Squadrons, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will continue to conduct aerial demonstrations as normal, operating as one of three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams. The other two DoD-sanctioned teams include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights.
The primary difference between the three Department of Defense-sanctioned teams and the U.S. Navy Tactical Demonstration Teams is that the tactical demonstration teams operate as collateral duty for the instructors at the training squadrons around the fleet. The pilots selected for the demonstration teams are committed to an airshow schedule in addition to their primary duty, training new Navy pilots.
The East Coast Rhino Demonstration Team was scheduled to appear at this weekend’s Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami Beach, Florida, while the West Coast Rhino Demonstration Team’s next scheduled show is June 26-27 at Wings Over Wausau in Wausau, Wisconsin. The F-35C Lightning II Demonstration Team is next scheduled to appear at the CenterPoint Dayton Air Show June 13-14 in Dayton, Ohio.
The safety stand down should continue as the U.S. Navy investigates the cause of last Sunday’s E/A-18G Growler crash and mid-air collision. For the latest updates regarding the safety stand down and the 2026 air show season, be sure to stay tuned to both our website and social media.
3” wide by 3.344” tall woven patch commemorating the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The patch features the Blue Angels’ first aircraft, the Grumman F8F Bearcat along with the team’s current aircraft, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. With the team’s 80th anniversary aligning with America’s 250th anniversary, the patch includes the American Stars and Stripes along with careful attention to detail throughout.
PATCHES ARE IN PRODUCTION AND WILL SHIP UPON COMPLETION
3” wide by 3.344” tall sticker commemorating the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The patch features one of the Blue Angels’ first aircraft, the Grumman F8F Bearcat along with the team’s current aircraft, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules. With the team’s 80th anniversary aligning with America’s 250th anniversary, the sticker includes the American Stars and Stripes along with careful attention to detail throughout. The sticker is made out of thick, durable vinyl to protect from scratches, water, and sunlight.
