Idaho Air Force Base Locked Down After Two Navy Jets Collide Midair

An Idaho air force base midair collision turned a popular weekend air show into a dramatic emergency scene on Sunday, after two US Navy jets struck each other and crashed to the ground in western Idaho. Despite the violent impact, all four crew members aboard the aircraft survived, officials confirmed.

The incident unfolded at Mountain Home air force base during the Gunfighter Skies air show, prompting the base to go into lockdown while responders rushed to the crash site.

What Happened During the Air Show

According to Cmdr Amelia Umayam, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet, the collision involved two EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129, based at Whidbey Island, Washington.

The two jets were in the middle of an aerial demonstration — exactly the kind of high-precision maneuvering that draws crowds to events like this — when something went wrong and the aircraft made contact in the air.

Umayam said in a statement that all four crew members from both jets ejected safely and were being evaluated by medical personnel afterward. She added that the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Importantly, no one on the ground was injured. Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped organize the show, said the outcome could have been far worse.

“Everyone is safe and I think that’s the most important thing,” Sykes said.

A Lockdown and a Frantic Response

In the immediate aftermath, Mountain Home air force base announced on social media that it had been placed on lockdown. Emergency responders moved quickly to the scene, and officials confirmed that an investigation was already under way.

The Mountain Home police department reinforced the response by issuing a public notice. Authorities:

• Canceled the remainder of the air show
• Urged the public not to travel toward the area
• Worked to keep roads clear for emergency crews

The crash site sat near the base, located roughly 50 miles (80km) south of Boise.

Witnesses Capture the Crash on Video

Several spectators witnessed the collision firsthand, and videos quickly spread online. Footage showed four parachutes blooming in the sky as the jets spiraled downward.

One witness, Shane Ogden, happened to be filming the two jets as they flew close together. His video shows the aircraft appearing to touch, then spinning together in tandem before the crew ejected. The parachutes opened as the planes continued to fall, ultimately erupting into a fireball on impact while the crew members drifted safely toward the ground nearby.

“I was just filming thinking they were going to split apart and that happened and I filmed the rest,” Ogden said in a text message.

He said he chose to leave the area soon after, not wanting to interfere with emergency responders trying to reach the scene.

About the Gunfighter Skies Air Show

The Gunfighter Skies event is a well-known showcase of aviation, blending tributes to flight history with displays of modern military capability. Organizers describe it as both a celebration of aviation heritage and a window into the air force’s current strength.

The EA-18G “Vikings” Growler demo team was listed among the show’s scheduled performers, making the two jets a featured attraction rather than a routine flight.

Notably, this year’s event marked the first Gunfighter Skies show held at the base since 2018. That earlier show was also marked by tragedy, when a hang glider pilot died during a performance.

A History of Air Show Risks

Sunday’s collision is a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of aerial demonstrations, even when handled by highly trained military crews.

The base has seen close calls before. In 2003, a Thunderbirds aircraft crashed while attempting a maneuver during a performance. In that case, the pilot managed to steer the plane away from the crowd and ejected less than a second before impact, escaping without injury.

While air shows are designed with extensive safety planning, the combination of speed, proximity and complex maneuvering always carries risk.

The Bottom Line

The Idaho air force base midair collision could easily have ended in tragedy, yet all four crew members walked away alive — a testament to both the ejection systems aboard modern military aircraft and the swift response of emergency personnel.

For now, attention turns to the investigation, as Navy officials work to determine exactly how two experienced flight crews ended up colliding in front of a live crowd. Until those answers emerge, Sunday’s crash stands as a sobering example of how quickly a celebration of aviation can become an emergency.