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Military

State Capitol Flags Lowered For Coronado-Based Pilot Killed In Helicopter Crash

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones
U.S. Navy
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones

California Governor Jerry Brown ordered flags above the State Capitol lowered to half-staff today in honor of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones, 35, of Lompoc, California.

As Home Post reported last week, Jones was killed September 22 when his MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crashed while operating in the Red Sea. He was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six, based at Naval Air Station North Island.

Also killed in the accident was Chief Warrant Officer Jonathon S. Gibson, 32, of Aurora, Oregon.

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Governor Brown said in a statement:

"On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Lt. Cmdr. Landon L. Jones, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time."

Jones's younger brother, Nolan, told Lompoc television station KSBY-TV that he always knew Landon would become a military pilot:

[Nolan] said it stemmed as far back to when they were little boys and watched the popular Tom Cruise film "Top Gun" together.

In addition to his brother, Jones is survived by his wife and two young sons.