June 11 (UPI) — A U.S. Air Force pilot ejected from a F-15C fighter jet that crashed into the sea near Okinawa, Japan, on Sunday morning was in serious condition on Monday.
The pilot on a routine training mission at Kadena Air Base in Japan, “successfully ejected” from the jet, and “was safely recovered by Search and Rescue teams,” on Sunday a tweet from the base showed.
He was the only person aboard the jet and he was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital on Camp Foster, where he is listed in serious condition, a Monday update release from the U.S. Air Force, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base.
“I would like to personally thank the Naha Rescue Squadron for their quick response,” 18th Wing Vice Commander Col. Richard Tanner said in the release. “I sincerely appreciate the strong support of our Japanese partners in this difficult situation.”
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, the release said. A board of officers will investigate to determine the cause through examining the facts and circumstances that led up to the accident. Kadena has halted training while the 18th Wing reviews operational, maintenance and safety procedures.
Sunday’s incident came as the Air Force finished its first wave of one-day safety stand-downs of flying and maintenance wings, which were ordered in the wake of other mishaps this year.
According to Stars and Stripes, this is the 12th crash involving U.S. military aircraft this year.
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