UMVA has learned that a heart-stopping midair collision shattered the skies above Mountain Home Air Force Base Sunday afternoon, leaving thousands of stunned spectators and triggering a full military lockdown.
Two Navy EA-18G Growler jets—part of the elite VAQ-129 Growler Demo Team—slammed into each other during a high-speed maneuver at the Gunfighter Skies air show. Video footage reveals the terrifying split-second moment the aircraft, flying in close formation, spiraled into each other before pilots ejected, their parachutes blooming like sudden flowers against the Idaho sky.
The collision unfolded in front of a crowd packed for the first major air show at the base in nearly a decade. Spectators describe a deafening explosion of metal and fire, followed by the eerie sight of four parachutes drifting earthward as emergency crews scrambled to secure the area.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that all four ejection seats deployed successfully, though the condition of the pilots remains unknown. The base was immediately sealed off, halting the event and halting access as responders combed the crash site for debris and evidence.
Themed “Freedom Takes Flight” to mark America’s 250th anniversary, the air show had already battled relentless high winds this weekend. Attendees reported delays and altered routines due to the volatile weather, raising questions about its role in the disaster. Investigators are now piecing together data from flight recorders and witness accounts to determine what caused the tragic error.
In the shadow of this disaster, the air show’s mix of vintage warplanes and cutting-edge jet performances now carries a somber weight. This story will evolve as UMVA uncovers more details—what is certain is that the skies over Idaho will never feel the same again.
