Dramatic video captured the moment two U.S. Navy jets slammed into each other during a packed air show in southwestern Idaho on Sunday, sending fireballs erupting across the sky as thousands of spectators watched in horror.
All four crew members aboard the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets ejected by parachute just moments before their aircraft plummeted to the ground and exploded. They were “found safe,” according to local Idaho news reports, a miraculous outcome given the violent nature of the collision.
The crash occurred at 12:10 p.m. local time during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The two Growlers from the VAQ-129 Growler Demo Team were in the middle of an aerial demonstration when they collided. Footage circulating on social media shows the jets making contact midair, followed by the crew ejecting as the aircraft spiral downward in flames.
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Mountain Home Air Force Base immediately placed the installation on lockdown and canceled the remainder of the air show. An investigation is now underway.
“Mountain Home Air Force base has canceled the remainder of the air show,” the base said in a social media statement obtained by The Daily Wire. “At this time, we ask for our guests already on base to remain in the flightline area to allow first responders to move in and out of place to continue securing the area. We are working on a plan to safely allow guests to exit base as soon as possible.”
Photos of the crash aftermath began spreading across social media within minutes of the incident. The images show debris scattered across the area where the jets came down.
The Gunfighter Skies Air Show is a popular annual event that draws aviation enthusiasts from across the region. Organizers describe it as a celebration of aviation history and a showcase of modern military capabilities. The event features flying demonstrations and parachute jumps, giving civilians a rare glimpse of American air power in action.
Just one day earlier, the event appeared to be running smoothly. On Saturday, the base posted photos on Facebook celebrating a successful first day of the show.
The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The Navy uses these jets to jam enemy radar and communications systems, making them a critical asset in modern combat operations.
Air show accidents, while rare, serve as stark reminders of the risks military aviators face even during peacetime demonstrations. The split-second decisions made by these four crew members to eject saved their lives. Their training kicked in when it mattered most.
This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.
