Western Pacific Ocean – Two F/A-18C Hornets based on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson crashed in the Western Pacific Ocean on Friday.
The two Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time.
The initial report is that the two aircraft are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore , according to a release from the Navy.
One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson, and is currently receiving medical attention. Search efforts continue for the second pilot.
The search for the second pilot includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley and helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73.
The two F/A-18C Hornets have not been recovered. All remaining airborne aircraft were safely recovered onboard the Carl Vinson.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Carl Vinson and embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 are currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
POSTED 7:48 AM, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014, BY MATT KNIGHT, UPDATED AT 09:15AM, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
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Rescuers end ocean search for Navy fighter pilot
Sep. 13, 2014 - 05:20PM
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 lands on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson during search and rescue operations for the pilot of one of two F/A-18 Hornets that crashed earlier in the day while operating from the ship. The other pilot was located and returned to Carl Vinson for medical care. He is listed in fair condition, according to the Navy.
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 lands on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson during search and rescue operations for the pilot of one of two F/A-18 Hornets that crashed earlier in the day while operating from the ship. The other pilot was located and returned to Carl Vinson for medical care. He is listed in fair condition, according to the Navy. (John Philip Wagner Jr/Navy via AP)
The Associated Press
LEMOORE, CALIF. — Rescuers have called off their search in the Pacific Ocean for a Navy fighter pilot whose jet was one of two that crashed west of Wake Island.
The Navy said Saturday that it presumes the pilot is dead after failing to find him during a 36-hour search. The Navy declined to release the pilot's name pending notification of his family. The Navy said the crash is under investigation and didn't release any more details.
Two F/A-18C Hornets crashed about 5:40 p.m. local time about 250 miles west of Wake Island. The other pilot safely ejected, was rescued from the ocean by helicopter and was treated and released from medical facilities aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.
The pilots and their squadron are from Carrier Air Wing 17 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's San Joaquin Valley.