SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy has identified the pilot who died when a Super Hornet aircraft crashed in California’s Mojave Desert.
In a Sunday news release, the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet said pilot Lt. Richard Bullock was participating in “a routine training mission” when his F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet crashed about 2:30 p.m. PDT Friday near Trona.
“No civilians were harmed as a result of this incident,” which occurred “in a remote, unpopulated area,” the release said.
Officials said the crash remains under investigation, and recovery efforts are still underway.
“The Navy mourns this tragic loss alongside the family, friends and shipmates of Lt. Bullock,” whose aircraft was based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, the release said.
The crash came nearly three years after a Navy Super Hornet aircraft crashed in Death Valley National Park, leaving the pilot dead and seven park guests injured, according to The Associated Press.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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