Recent military training and public airshow accidents have resulted in the death of at least ten servicemembers, including eight servicemembers who were recently killed in a B-52 bomber crash on June 15.
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding the Department of Defense (DoD) provide the Senate Appropriations Committee with an immediate Department-wide review into non-combat flight related training, operations, and logistics.
The letter follows recent military training and public airshow accidents that have resulted in the death of at least ten servicemembers, including eight servicemembers who were recently killed in a B-52 bomber crash. These incidents have occurred in non-combat environments, raising extreme concerns about a pressing lack of regard for the safety of American servicemembers within the DoD.
“Those who volunteer to serve in uniform understand that military service is inherently dangerous, but the Department has a responsibility to do everything in its power to safeguard our servicemembers,” writes Senator Murray. “These crashes, which occurred in non-combat environments, seem to show a lack of precautions to ensure the safety of our servicemembers and protect our military readiness.”
As Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has provided more than $800 million over the last three fiscal years to increase military readiness across the services branches: “I have ensured that the Department executed these funds quickly to increase aircraft readiness and accelerate safety-related upgrades. The host of incidents during this time make it clear that there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed.”
Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
Dear Secretary Hegseth:
I am writing to you to raise alarm about recent military training and public airshow accidents that have resulted in the death of at least ten servicemembers, including eight servicemembers who were recently killed in a B-52 bomber crash. Those who volunteer to serve in uniform understand that military service is inherently dangerous, but the Department has a responsibility to do everything in its power to safeguard our servicemembers. These crashes, which occurred in non-combat environments, seem to show a lack of precautions to ensure the safety of our servicemembers and protect our military readiness. I urge you to launch an immediate Department-wide readiness review, including an analysis of training, sustainment, funding, logistics, and operational tempo, and provide such a review to the Appropriations Committees as soon as possible.
Despite significant advances in aircraft technology, Pentagon data indicates that military aviation mishaps are increasing. Between 2019 and 2024, there were a total of 4,820 military aircraft mishaps, including 222 “Class A” incidents. In a similar time frame, between 2020 and 2024, 90 servicemembers died in U.S. military aviation mishaps. In recent years, there have been an alarming number of crashes in the Pacific Northwest. In October 2024, two EA-18G Growler pilots were killed in a training accident in a remote area near Mount Ranier, shortly after returning from an extended deployment to the Middle East. In May 2026, two EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island collided while they were executing a close formation pass during a live air show demonstration in Idaho, destroying both jets. While all four servicemembers ejected safely, one airman was hospitalized. Finally, this month, an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft crashed near Rimrock Lake in Washington state during a routine training exercise. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely, but the aircraft was destroyed and the crash sparked a wildfire in the area.
U.S. Naval Air Force recently issued a safety stand down for the four tactical aviation teams in response to the recent EA-18G Growler air show crashes. I hope this is only an initial step. There is a clear need to look deeper into the now three recent accidents involving military aircraft during non-combat flight operations.
As Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I have provided more than $800 million over the last three fiscal years to increase military readiness across multiple services and multiple platforms. I have ensured that the Department executed these funds quickly to increase aircraft readiness and accelerate safety-related upgrades. The host of incidents during this time make it clear that there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this incredibly important matter. I look forward to your response and future improvements made to military equipment, training, and/or procedures to further minimize the risk for our brave servicemembers.
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