On Wednesday evening, an F-35C fighter jet of the US Navy crashed near the Naval Air Station Lemoore in Central California. Fortunately, the pilot successfully ejected and was rescued safely.
According to a Navy spokesperson, the incident occurred at 6:30 PM local time and the involved aircraft belonged to the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” squadron, specializing in F-35C training for carrier-based operations. The squadron is responsible for training new pilots and crew members. The Lemoore base confirmed that the pilot ejected safely with no other casualties.
The crash site was located in a cotton field to the north of the base, approximately 40 miles from Fresno, California. Local TV station KFSN and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office released footage showing thick smoke and flames at the scene, with the California Fire Department and emergency medical personnel responding promptly to assist.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the aircraft, stated that they are aware of the crash and are fully cooperating with the US military for the investigation, emphasizing that safety is their top priority. The Department of Defense’s F-35 Joint Program Office has not yet commented on the incident. The cause of the crash is still under investigation and is expected to take several months to determine.
The F-35C involved in the crash is one of the three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet designed for carrier-based operations. The US Air Force and Marine Corps operate the F-35A and F-35B variants, respectively. In January of this year, a US Air Force F-35A crashed during training at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, with the pilot successfully ejecting as well.
The F-35 is one of the most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jets globally, equipped with powerful sensor fusion capabilities and serving as a joint combat platform across military branches. It has been adopted by more than 19 countries worldwide and is a core component of the air defense capabilities of the US and its allies. Currently, the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps are equipped with 246, 41, and 122 F-35 aircraft, respectively, undergoing continuous upgrades and tactical integration. Analysts point out that amid escalating regional conflicts, the F-35 plays an increasingly crucial role in joint exercises and allied interoperability.