The F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of VFA-151 was based at Naval Air Station Lemoore.
A single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif., crashed on Jul. 31, 2019, in the morning at approximately 10 a.m. PST, east of Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California.
The status of the pilot is unknown.
“At approximately 10 a.m. PST, a F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., crashed east of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.,” read a statement from spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Lydia Bock provided to USNI News.
“Search and rescue personnel is on scene and the status of the pilot is currently unknown. The cause of the crash isncurrently under investigation.”
A rescue team from the base and localnofficials are on the scene of the crash, Bock told USNI News.
VFA-151 is part of Carrier Air Wing 9 which returned to California earlier this year after completing a deployment aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
VFA-151 transitioned to LOT 35/36 F/A-18EnSuper Hornets in February of 2013.
Included among the many achievements in VFA-151’s proud history is the receipt of the Presidential Unit Citation, eight Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, five Battle “E” awards, six Safety S’s, and six Navy Unit Commendations, and seven Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citations.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Fenaroli