Navy Pilot Killed in Crash Remembered as “Outstanding Person”

Lt. Nathan Poloski, 26, is presumed dead after the Sept. 12 crash

The Navy has identified the pilot killed in a fighter jet crash as a man from Southern California with strong San Diego ties.

Lt. Nathan Poloski, 26, is presumed dead after an extensive search of the Western Pacific Ocean, according to the U.S. Navy.

Poloski is from Lake Arrowhead, California, but was born in San Diego. He grew up living near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where his mother would take him to watch the Blue Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Two F/A-18 Hornets apparently collided on Sept. 12 about 250 miles west of Wake Island, approximately 2,300 miles west of Honolulu. The pilot of the other plane was rescued.

The Navy suspended the search for Poloski Saturday after covering 3,000 square miles of vast ocean, according to the Navy. The search included the San Diego-based Carl Vinson Strike Group, a P-8 Poseidon aircraft and satellite imagery.

The search continues for a missing U.S. Navy pilot who ejected from an F18 fighter jet before it collided with another plane above USS Carl Vinson in the Western Pacific Ocean. NBC 7’s Military Reporter Bridget Naso reports on Sept. 12, 2014.

Both jets involved in the crash belonged to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, Carrier Wing 17, based in Lemoore, California. They were assigned to USS Carl Vinson, which left San Diego last month for a nearly 10-month deployment.

Poloski’s commanding officer said the Naval Academy graduate “was an outstanding person, naval officer and aviator.”

"My personal thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends and shipmates as they endure this immeasurable loss," said Cmdr. Michael Langbehn, commanding officer of VFA 94, in a statement Sunday.

The Navy is investigating what caused the crash. Navy officials said the jets had "launched from the flight deck and were in the process of proceeding to their initial stations when they apparently collided approximately seven miles from the ship."

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