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US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashes in California, pilot ejects safely

The US Navy said that the aircraft was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, also known as the “Rough Raiders”.

The F-35 fighter jet crash, which took place around 6:30pm, is under investigation. (Image: X/ @IntelNet0)

A United States Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed in California on Wednesday near Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, the Navy confirmed in a statement. The pilot had ejected safely, the statement added.

The F-35 fighter jet crash, which took place around 6:30pm, is under investigation. “The pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel,” NAS Lemoore said in a statement.

#BREAKING: U.S. military F-35 jet crashes and bursts into flames near Lemoore Naval Air Station in Fresno County, California. Pilot ejected safely and is hospitalized. Federal investigation underway.#Fresno #California #F35 #USNavy #USMC pic.twitter.com/wVFRjdsc45

— Intel Net (@IntelNet0) July 31, 2025

The US Navy said that the aircraft was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, also known as the “Rough Raiders”. VF-125, which is responsible for training pilots and aircrew, is a Fleet Replacement Squadron, CNN reported.

The crash which took place near Naval Air Station Lemoore is situated about 64 kilometers southwest of Fresno city in central California.

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