Four U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, assigned to the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron 137, fly past the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. (U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John A. Miller/U.

The two members onboard an EA-18G Growler that crashed east of Mount Rainier last week have been declared dead by the United States Navy. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of two beloved Zappers,

The status of the Growler's 2-man crew was unknown Thursday night as Green Berets attempted to reach the crash site.

The search for the two Navy pilots was ongoing Saturday, even after rescuers reached the EA-18G Growler wreckage, a Navy spokesman said.

The methodical search for two missing aviators involves Army Special Forces from Joint Base Lewis McChord and is taking place in steep, snow-covered wilderness.