According to Navy officials, two U.S. fighter jets collided and fell into west Pacific waters. The crash occurred on Thursday, roughly 250 miles away from Wake Island.
According to Navy officials, two U.S. fighter jets collided and fell into the Western Pacific waters. The crash occurred on Thursday, roughly 250 miles west of Wake Island.
One of the involved pilots was rescued, however the other remains missing. A statement notes “One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson, and is currently receiving medical attention. Search efforts continue for the second pilot.”
The rescued pilot is reportedly in fair condition. Crews are utilizing the ‘guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley’ ‘guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill’ along with choppers from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 and the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 to located the missing pilot.
Both fighter jets are single-seater F/A-18 Hornets. Neither aircraft has been found as of yet.
The Hornets were assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, aboard the USS Carl Vinson and based out of the Lemoore Naval Air Station. The Carl Vinson departed San Diego in early August for a security and stability mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The cause of the collision is now under investigation.
