The Navy on Saturday ended its search for a pilot missing after two F/A-18 jet fighters collided in the western Pacific Ocean.
Navy officials said in a statement that the pilot, whose name was not released, is presumed dead.
The two jets from the carrier USS Carl Vinson collided Friday about seven miles from the ship, which was about 250 miles from Wake Island, after having been launched, the statement said. One of the pilots was quickly recovered and returned to the Vinson, but the other could not be found after a search of the area by ships and helicopters.
“This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community,” Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, carrier strike group commander, said. “We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Officials are investigating the cause of the crash.
The two pilots were assigned to squadrons based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, near Fresno, Calif., and were part of Carrier Air Wing 17 aboard the Vinson.
