SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A Navy pilot was rescued from the waters near the southern Philippines Friday after his fighter jet crashed while approaching the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
The pilot was flying an F/A-18E Super Hornet when the incident occurred during routine operations in the Celebes Sea, near the island of Mindanao, the Navy said.
The pilot was pulled out of the water by a nearby helicopter and given a medical evaluation, the Navy said in a statement.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The Carl Vinson left San Diego for deployment on Jan. 5. U.S. officials said the vessel is headed for the Sea of Japan, where it would be available in a region that's tense after recent provocative statements from North Korea.
