Super Hornet Mishap Air Crews Identified

Super Hornet Mishap Air Crews Identified

. Super Hornet Mishap Air Crews Identified

By the Navy News Service

LEMOORE, Calif. (NNS) — The Navy has confirmed the names of the missing aircrew following the crash of two F-18F “Super Hornets” assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 based at Lemoore Naval Air Station, Calif. The crash happened at 9:40 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, approximately 80 miles southwest of Monterey, Calif.

The following aviators are presumed dead:

– Lt. Stephen R. Nevarez, 31, New Orleans, LA, Weapons Systems Officer – Lt. Joel A. Korkowski, 30, Phoenix, AZ, Pilot – Lt. Matthew S. Shubzda, 27, Dallas, TX, Pilot – Lt. Stephen N. Benson, 26, Virginia Beach, VA, Weapons Systems Officer

The aircraft were operating with six other aircraft from the same squadron and were conducting routine training. They did not have any weapons on board.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

VFA-41 was formerly an F-14 “Tomcat” squadron, having made the transition to the F/A-18F “Super Hornet” this summer. The “F” model is the two-seat variant of the Navy’s newest strike fighter. This is the first crash of a Super Hornet.

There are currently three operational Super Hornet squadrons: VFA-41, VFA-14, and VFA-115. VFA-115 is the first Super Hornet squadron to deploy, and is currently embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

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