A US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California on Wednesday.
The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m., and the pilot successfully ejected and survived, the Navy confirmed. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
Emergency responders, including a local EMS team and personnel from Cal Fire, were dispatched to the scene to assist the pilot, according to a statement from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
The F-35 was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), also known as the “Rough Raiders.” The squadron serves as a Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for training Navy pilots and aircrew on the F-35 platform.
