U.S. Navy Jets Crash Into Pacific After Mid-Air Collision, One USS Carl Vinson Pilot Still Missing
As two U.S. Navy jets crash into the Pacific, reports are saying one of the pilots stationed on the USS Carl Vinson is still missing after the mid-air collision.
In a related report by the Inquisitr, a F-16 pilot told the story of a 9/11 kamikaze miss to stop the hijacked commercial planes.
The Navy jet crash occurred about 29 miles west of Wake Island, which is 2,300 miles west of Honolulu, Hawaii. The U.S. Navy issued this press release explaining the situation as of earlier in the morning (or late at night, local time).
“Two F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time, today, while operating at sea in the western Pacific Ocean. The initial report is that the two aircraft are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94) and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113). 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 was sent to the medical department of the USS Carl Vinson and is said to be in fair condition.
The U.S. Navy was not able to recover the two F/A-18C Hornets which collided with each other, although all other aircraft have been recovered safely without incident. The search for the missing jet pilot includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, and helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld spoke from San Diego and while she could not discuss the details of the U.S. Navy jets crash, she says the investigation has already started. The Navy jets involved in the crash were based in San Diego with the Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and Strike Fighter Squadron 113. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved,” Groeneveld said.
The U.S. Navy is promising to provide any updates to the search for the missing pilot on Twitter.
#BREAKING MT @US7thFleet: #USNavy F/A-18 Hornets crash in Pacific Ocean. We will continue to release updates. http://t.co/hOarswxHHJ
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) September 12, 2014
