Navy Confirms F-35C Crash Near NAS Lemoore

A Navy F-35C fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore in Southern California, with the pilot safely ejecting before the aircraft went down. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, as confirmed by NAS Lemoore, which described it as “an aviation incident on the operations side of the installation.” The crash site was identified as a field near South Dickenson Avenue and West Cadillac Avenue, where the jet burst into flames upon impact.

Pilot Safety and Immediate Response

The pilot’s successful ejection was confirmed by NAS Lemoore through a Facebook post, assuring that no additional personnel were affected by the crash. The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash resulted in a small grass fire, covering approximately ten acres. CAL Fire responded promptly, containing the fire completely by 8:32 p.m. local time.

Investigation and Squadron Details

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, NAS Lemoore disclosed that the F-35C was part of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 “Rough Raiders,” a specialized training unit. This base is notable for being the only Navy installation housing the F-35 Lightning II and is home to more than half of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

Significance of NAS Lemoore

NAS Lemoore is recognized as the Navy’s largest Master Jet Base, hosting over a dozen squadrons for both training and operational purposes. It supports sixteen operational Strike Fighter squadrons, two Fleet Replacement squadrons, one Search and Rescue squadron, and four west coast Carrier Air Wing Commands and staff. Located in Fresno County, this base plays a crucial role in naval aviation operations.

Ongoing Developments

Fox News Digital attempted to contact NAS Lemoore for further comments but had not received a response by the time of publication. As investigations continue, more details about the crash are expected to emerge.