The identity of the U.S. Navy pilot killed during a training crash on Friday has been revealed.
U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Richard Bullock died when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed in the vicinity of Trona, California, on Friday afternoon.
“Bullock was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., and was flying a routine training mission at the time before his aircraft when down in a remote, unpopulated area. No civilians were harmed as a result of this incident,” according to the Navy’s statement.
“The incident is currently under investigation and the scene of the crash is secured by Navy and local authorities while recovery efforts are ongoing,” it added.
California Republican Rep. David Valadao expressed his condolences after being notified of the pilot’s identity.
“My thoughts are with the loved ones of Lt. Richard Bullock who selflessly served our country as a Navy pilot based in NAS Lemoore. Please join me in praying for his family and the entire NAS Lemoore community,” he wrote.
My thoughts are with the loved ones of Lt. Richard Bullock who selflessly served our country as a Navy pilot based in NAS Lemoore. Please join me in praying for his family and the entire NAS Lemoore community. https://t.co/aEg8I2UGGt
— Rep. David Valadao (@RepDavidValadao) June 6, 2022
“Friday’s incident marks the fourth Super Hornet crash since 2019. In 2019, one crash resulted in the death of the pilot and minor injuries to seven civilians who were hit by debris when they gathered at a scenic route to watch the fighter jets,” The Washington Examiner reported.
“A crash in 2020, and one last October, resulted in both pilots safely ejecting from their planes during training missions,” according to NBC News. “One landed in Death Valley National Park, while the other landed in the Mojave Desert,” the report added.
In March, a Navy plane also crashed off the coast of Virginia, killing one person and injuring two others.
“The E-2D crashed at approximately 7:30 p.m. Two crew members were rescued by Maryland State Police and transported to Wallops Island for follow-on medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The names of injured crewmembers will not be released due to privacy concerns,” the Navy initially reported. “Unfortunately, the third crew member was found deceased in the aircraft.”
Four U.S. Marines were also killed in an Osprey helicopter crash during a NATO training exercise in Norway in March.
The Marine Corps revealed the identities of the four men in a statement as Cpl. Jacob M. Moore, 24, of Catlettsburg, Kentucky; Gunnery Sgt. James W. Speedy, 30, of Cambridge, Ohio; Capt. Matthew J. Tomkiewicz, 27, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Capt. Ross A. Reynolds, 27, of Leominster, Massachusetts.
The four Marines served in the “Raging Bulls” of Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station in New River, North Carolina.
The four men were reported missing after failing to report back following a training mission in northern Norway, according to the statement. The incident involved an MV-22B Osprey.