00:00This footage captures the exact moment two U.S. Navy E.A. 18G Growler electronic attack aircraft
00:06collide mid-air during the Gunfighter Skies air show outside Mountain Home Air Force Base,
00:11Idaho. The clip shows the two specialized jets from Electronic Attack Squadron 129's Vikings
00:17demonstration team performing a high-performance formation pass when the trailing aircraft makes
00:22catastrophic contact with the lead jet's rear from above. The Growlers immediately become
00:26entangled, spinning wildly before plunging toward the ground. Within seconds, four distinct
00:31explosions signal the activation of the 0-0 ejection seats, with all four crew members
00:37successfully punching out under clean parachutes before the multi-million dollar airframes impact
00:42the Earth, detonating in a massive fireball with a towering column of black smoke. Built as specialized
00:47electronic warfare variants of the F-A-18 Super Hornet, these aircraft carry sensitive tactical
00:52assets like the ALQ-99 jamming pods and advanced next-generation jammer systems meant to neutralize
00:59enemy air defenses in contested airspace. This severe training mishap highlights the unforgiving
01:04margin of error present during close proximity aerial displays, forcing an immediate base lockdown and a
01:10full Navy investigation into the visual tracking and formation breakdown.
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