The pilot of a US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet was killed when it crashed at around 1430hrs PST on June 3 in the Mojave Desert near Trona San Bernardino County, California, during a routine training mission.

The F/A-18E came down in a remote, unpopulated area near the US Navy test range at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. Following the accident, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake Federal Firefighters and Naval Security Forces were on site. The area was secured by the Navy and local authorities while recovery efforts were ongoing.

The pilot was later identified by the Navy as Lt Richard Bullock from Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113) ‘Stingers’ at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.