Coast Guard Plucks F-5N Pilot Out Of The Ocean

A Navy pilot ejected from his F-5N Tiger II tactical fighter aircraft, August 9, about 20 nautical miles southeast of Naval Air Station Key West. The pilot was quickly recovered by a Coast Guard helicopter at approximately 1:15 p.m.

The pilot, who has not been identified, is assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 111. He was reported to have no significant injuries.

The F-5N Tiger II tactical fighter aircraft went down into the ocean while conducting training operations off the Florida coast. Report of the jet's downing came in at 12:38 p.m.

Watchstanders with Coast Guard 7th District Command Center were notified at approximately 1:07 p.m. that the pilot was in the water and needed assistance. The watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to conduct a search.

The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 1:15 p.m., observed an emergency smoke signal and located the pilot in the water. The rescue crew hoisted the pilot from the water and brought him back to Lower Keys Medical Center in good condition.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Navy.

(Source: U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard news releases. Navy and Coast Guard images)

FMI: www.navy.mil, www.uscg.mil