Many flags in the region are flying at half staff in tribute to a U.S. Navy air crew lost in a jet crash in eastern Washington Monday morning. Officials at NAS Whidbey in Oak Harbor confirmed Monday that a Navy EA-6B “Prowler” jet crashed during a training flight, killing all three crew members. Navy officials said the aircraft was from Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129. According to the Seattle Times, crash victims were LCmdr. Alan Patterson, 34, of Tullahoma, Tenn.; Lt. Valerie Delaney, 26, of Ellicott City, Md.; Lt. William McIlvaine III, 24, of El Paso, Tx. We extend our condolences to the families of these naval aviators, and to the entire NAS Whidbey community.