The U.S. Navy said in a statement on January 24 that an accident aboard an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea injured seven American sailors and caused the pilot to eject from his F-35 fighter jet on Monday, calling it a “landing mishap.”
According to the Navy, the pilot was safely ejected from the plane and was rescued by a U.S. military helicopter. The pilot appears to be in good health.
Three sailors required MEDEVAC to a medical treatment facility in Manila, Philippines, while the remaining four were treated by onboard medical personnel. All three MEDEVACs have been determined to be stable.
Three of the four sailors who were treated onboard have been released. The cause of the in-flight mishap, as well as additional details, are being investigated.
According to the statement, the combat aircraft, an F-35C Lightning II, was conducting routine flight operations before encountering difficulties on the deck of the carrier USS Carl Vinson.
The USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln, led by their flagships, are currently engaged in joint operations that include enhanced maritime communication operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations, and maritime interdiction operations to strengthen maritime integrated-at-sea operations and combat readiness, according to the Navy. In international waters, the training is being conducted following international law.
The Navy said that the two carrier strike groups have over 14,000 Sailors and Marines on board and are used to demonstrate the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force’s ability to deliver a powerful maritime force.