According to the New York Times, the U.S. Navy indicated it would ground all non-deployed aircraft on Monday (June 13) to “focus on safety protocols.” The pause comes to light after three crashes in recent days in California that resulted in six deaths.
One of those crashes, closer to home, involved a NAS Lemoore aviator – Lt. Richard Bullock – who was killed when his F/A 18E Super Hornet crashed near Trona California on June 3. Bullock was on a training mission, said Navy officials.
On June 8, a Marine Corps aircraft, an MV-22B Osprey, belonging to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed near Glamis, California, more than 150 miles east of San Diego.
The very next day, a Navy helicopter crashed near El Centro, California, more than 100 miles east of San Diego. All four crew members survived said Navy officials.
The flights were all routine exercises say Navy officials.