Navy Suspends Search for Pilot Missing in Jet Crash

The pilot has been missing since two U.S. fighter jets crashed into the west Pacific Ocean on Thursday

The Navy has suspended its search for a pilot missing after two U.S. fighter jets collided and crashed into the west Pacific Ocean, NBC News reported Saturday.

One pilot was rescued soon after the F/A-18 Hornet crash Thursday night about 250 miles west of Wake Island, approximately 2,300 miles west of Honolulu.

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After an extensive search, Navy officials announced an end to their rescue efforts Saturday after officials said there was no sign of the pilot or the jets in the water. The missing pilot has been presumed dead, the Navy said.

"This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community," said Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, Commander, Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."

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The search for the missing pilot, whose name has not been released, involved the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, the USS Sperett, the USS Dewey and two helicopter squadrons.

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Both jets involved in the collision were assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17 and assigned to the San Diego-based Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. The public affairs officer for Navy Regional SW said the jets involved in the crash are based out of Lemoore Naval Air Station near Fresno, California.

The aircraft have not been recovered.

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Navy Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld, of San Diego, said she couldn't release details of the crash, but told NBC News an investigation is under way.

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."

The rescued pilot remained in fair condition Saturday in the medical department of the Carl Vinson, the Navy confirmed.

The Carl Vinson strike group team departed San Diego on Aug. 22 for a 9-month deployment.
 

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