How long does it take for life to return to normal after a military jet crashes on your land?

Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes would like to know the answer.

The U.S. Navy F35-C Lightning II fighter jet that fell from the sky after the pilot ejected the evening of July 30 ended up in Mendes’ cotton field near Naval Air Station Lemoore.

Mendes’ son witnessed first responders extinguish the ensuing fire and airlift the pilot to Community Regional Medical Center.

“The pilot successfully ejected and is safe. There are no additional affected personnel,” NAS Lemoore said in a statement following the crash.

More than a week later, Mendes’ family farming operation can’t irrigate its crop.

Site Secure While Navy Figures Things Out

The Navy “secured the site and they guard it 24/7,” Mendes told GV Wire. “They don’t know when they’re going to clean it up. They’re still trying to figure that out.”

Most travelers on highway 41 and 198 associate NAS Lemoore with the Kings County city that bears its name. That’s because the administration is headquartered there. But the air station’s operations are actually closer to the Fresno County community of Riverdale, Mendes explained.

“The base commander, the wing commander, the XO — you couldn’t ask for better guys,” Mendes said. “But the final decisions have to come out of San Diego and Washington, D.C.”

Mendes said he was relieved that the unidentified pilot safely ejected because “when you punch out at low attitude, it’s really dangerous.”

Meanwhile, Mendes awaits the all-clear signal.

“There’s significant damage to the field, but the biggest problem is (my son) can’t get into there and can’t irrigate,” Mendes said. “They’re going to have to excavate the dirt out of there. It’s a long process when they haven’t figured out how to get the plane out.”