The pilot of a U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jet was ejected and rescued after crashing off the coast of Okinawa, an island to the south of Japan, on Tuesday morning.
The pilot was flying from Kadena Air Base, military officials said in a statement, CBS reported. The jet crashed about 70 miles east of the Japanese island, in the Pacific.
A search-and-rescue mission began immediately for the pilot, who was ejected and able to remain in contact with military officers throughout the ordeal, CBS reported. Lt. Col. David Honchul, a spokesman for the U.S. military, said the pilot was pulled from the water by a Japanese helicopter, CBS reported.
The cause of the jet crash is still not clear, and the pilot’s name is not being released at this time, CBS reported. But the military reports he is recovering at a hospital in Okinawa and is listed in stable condition.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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