STATE OF WASHINGTON – The U.S. Navy, local law enforcement and partner agencies responded Tuesday afternoon to the scene where an EA-18G Growler crashed east of Mount Rainier.

The two crew members who were aboard the Growler at the time were still missing as of 5 p.m. Friday.

In an update sent to KOMO News Friday evening, the Navy said personnel at the crash site “methodically searched a wide area, evaluating debris and searching for information in the snowy wilderness environment.”

“Our primary focus remains locating the aircrew,” Naval Air Station North Island said in a statement.

The EA-18G Growler crashed into a mountainside east of Mount Rainier Tuesday afternoon during a “routine training flight.” Aerial search teams found the crash site around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The crash site is in a “steep and heavily forested area” at an elevation of approximately 6,000 feet. Officials previously said the remote area was inaccessible to motorized vehicles.

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The Navy has requested assistance from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and other local law enforcement agencies to help locate the aircraft and missing crew members, YCSO Public Information Officer Casey Schilperoort said Wednesday KOMO News.

On Thursday, a Navy spokesman said other military personnel also helped in the search, including soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The Navy said the airborne force brings “specialized mountaineering, high-altitude rescue, medical and technical communications skills necessary to negotiate the difficult terrain of the Cascade Mountain Range that is not accessible by other means.”

An emergency operations center was established at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island earlier this week to coordinate relief efforts.

“The status of the crew cannot be confirmed without a site assessment of the debris area,” the YCSO posted Friday morning on X. “There are no known threats to the public. We appreciate the community’s support as experienced personnel provide assistance around the crash site.”

SEE ALSO: EA-18G Growler: What to know about the type of Navy jet that crashed near Mount Rainier

Capt. David Ganci, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Electronic Attack Wing, said the Navy “cannot identify or confirm the names of aircrews involved in a mishap until 24 hours after notification of their next of kin.” Please be patient and speculate on the Limiting incidents is one of the best ways to respect the privacy of the loved ones affected by this tragic event.”

The EA-18G Growler is similar to the F/A-18F Super Hornet – the type of jet used by the US Navy’s Blue Angels – and features sophisticated electronic warfare equipment. All Growler squadrons are stationed at NASWI, except for one squadron (VAQ-141) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

The crashed Growler jet was from “The Zappers,” also known as Electronic Attack Squadron 130 or VAQ-130.

According to the Navy’s website, the similarities between Growler and Super Hornet jets leave the Growler room for future upgrades and growth. Boeing said the Growler is “the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform and the only one currently in production.”

The 60.2-foot-long and 16-foot-tall Growler has a thrust force of 44,000 pounds. The jet has a wingspan of 44.9 feet and weighs 33,094 pounds when empty.