A U.S. Air Force pilot safely ejected from an F-16 fighter jet off the west coast of South Korea on Tuesday, military officials announced, the second similar crash in the region in as many months.
The 8th Fighter Wing said the aircraft had an unspecified in-flight emergency that resulted in the pilot ejecting. He was recovered through a coordinated effort between the U.S. and South Korean navies and was transported to a medical facility for assessment.
“We are very thankful to the Republic of Korea rescue forces and all of our teammates who made the swift recovery of our pilot possible,” said Col. Matthew Gaetke, the wing’s commander. “Now we will shift our focus to search and recovery of the aircraft.”
Another F-16 crashed off the coast of South Korea in December during a routine training flight. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft and survived.
The aircraft losses come after eight U.S. Air Force personnel were killed off the coast of Japan in November when an Osprey transport aircraft crashed.
