The Navy has identified the pilot who was killed in a Wednesday crash in Death Valley National Park, Calif.
Lt. Charles Walker, 33, died when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed about 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. He was on a training mission over a canyon at the national park when the crash occurred.
Walker was assigned to the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
“The NAS Lemoore aviation family is grieving the loss of one of our own,” Capt. James Bates, commander of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, said in a statement.
“Lt. Walker was an incredible naval aviator, husband and son. He was an integral member of the Vigilante family and his absence will be keenly felt on this flight line. Our aviators understand the risk associated with this profession and they knowingly accept it in service to our nation. The untimely loss of a fellow aviator and shipmate pains us all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.”
A Navy summary of the crash reviewed by USNI News said the aircraft impacted against the side of the canyon wall during low altitude training. The crash occurred in the so-called “Star Wars” canyon at Death Valley – a popular spot for military aviation photographers. The National Park Service said that seven people suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Walker had reported to the squadron in February 2018, shortly after the Vigilantes had returned from a deployment aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), according to his official Navy biography.
Prior to the assignment, Walker had been assigned to the Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific at NAS Lemoore. He had also been assigned to the “Dambuster” Strike Fighter Squadron 195 as part of the Navy’s forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing 5 based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
He commissioned in late 2008 shortly before graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. Walker did not list a home of record, according to Navy officials.
The following is the complete Aug. 2, 2019 Navy statement.
Pilot Identified Following F/A-18E Super Hornet Crash
Lemoore, CA (NNS) – The pilot of the F/A-18E Super Hornet that crashed approximately 40 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. on July 31 has been identified.
The Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, was flown by Lt. Charles Z. Walker, 33.
“The NAS Lemoore aviation family is grieving the loss of one of our own,” said Capt. James Bates, Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. “Lt. Walker was an incredible naval aviator, husband and son. He was an integral member of the Vigilante family and his absence will be keenly felt on this flight line. Our aviators understand the risk associated with this profession and they knowingly accept it in service to our nation. The untimely loss of a fellow aviator and shipmate pains us all. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.”
The pilot was on a routine training mission in the area at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Navy mourns the loss of one of our own, and our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this tragedy.
