Nevada Guard Protects Wildlife During F-35 Crash Recovery

A military helicopter crew turned a crash recovery mission into an environmental success story when they carefully removed F-35 wreckage from protected wildlife habitat in Nevada's Mojave Desert.

The Nevada Army National Guard's Chinook helicopter team stepped in after a U.S. Air Force F-35 crashed during a training flight on March 30, about 25 miles north of Indian Springs. The pilot ejected safely with only minor injuries, but the aircraft came down on U.S. Fish and Wildlife protected land where endangered species live.

The challenge was clear. Recovery teams needed to remove heavy aircraft wreckage without disturbing the delicate desert ecosystem below.

During two trips in May, B Company's Chinook crew used specialized sling loading techniques to lift equipment and debris directly from the crash site. By carrying everything through the air instead of driving trucks across the protected land, they kept the habitat intact for the endangered species that call it home.

"Our Chinook fleet's geographical location in Nevada proves vital and reliable for response with heavy lift capabilities throughout the western U.S.," said Col. Michael Bordallo, Nevada Army National Guard State Aviation Officer. The Guard regularly supports missions for Nellis Air Force Base, Fallon Naval Air Station, and federal agencies across five western states.

The recovery operation brought together multiple agencies working in harmony. Teams from the 57th Fighter Wing, Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases, the Nevada Test and Training Range, and federal contractors all contributed to the careful extraction effort.

The Ripple Effect

This mission highlights a growing trend of military operations prioritizing environmental stewardship alongside operational needs. Nevada's six Chinook helicopters handle regular requests for specialized missions that require both power and precision, from wildfire response to disaster relief across the western region.

The Guard's experience with sensitive land recoveries makes them the go-to team when missions overlap with protected habitats. Their skill means future operations can proceed with confidence that both mission success and environmental protection are achievable goals.

Nevada may expand to eight Chinooks under the Army's new fleet structure, increasing capacity for missions that balance operational demands with habitat conservation. Each successful operation builds a template for how military readiness and environmental responsibility can advance together, protecting both national security and natural treasures that define the American West.