THE UNITED STATES Pacific Fleet announced Monday that a Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 jet fighter had crashed into the Philippine Sea and that its crew ejected and rescued by USS Ronald Reagan.
It said the aircraft experienced a mechanical issue that resulted in the crew ejecting while conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea.
“The crew was immediately and safely recovered by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) search and rescue aircraft and brought back to the ship for evaluation by medical personnel. Based on an initial assessment, both pilots are in good condition,” it said without further identifying the pilot and his wingman.
CVW 5 is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and is currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “The crash is under investigation,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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