American media outlets reported late Wednesday evening about the crash of an F-35 fighter jet, with the pilot successfully parachuting to safety. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 PM, is currently under investigation.
The U.S. Navy confirmed that the aircraft belonged to the “VFA-125” strike fighter squadron, known as the “Rough Raiders,” a fleet replacement squadron responsible for training pilots and aircraft crews.
The Lemoore Naval Air Station, which is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Fresno, central California, is noted as the site of the incident.
The aircraft is one of three models of the F-35 Lightning II designed to operate on U.S. aircraft carriers. The U.S. Air Force uses the F-35A model, while the Marines use the F-35B model, designed for short takeoff and vertical landing.
The cost of this aircraft is approximately $100 million. This incident marks the second of its kind this year, following a crash of a U.S. Air Force jet at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska last January during a training mission.
