U.S. F-18 fighter crashes in Gulf, crew rescued: navy

A U.S. F-18 fighter jet crashed in the Gulf after taking off from an aircraft carrier on Tuesday but both crew members survived without major injuries, military officers said Tuesday.

The Super Hornet aircraft had launched from the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Gulf at 1330 GMT before it went down, the US Navy said in a statement.

“The two personnel aboard the strike fighter ejected from the aircraft, survived the crash and were quickly recovered by search and rescue personnel from the ship,” it said.

“Initial reports indicate both are conscious and alert, and without serious injury.”

The Roosevelt carrier’s air wing is taking part in the US-led air war against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

The cause of the crash was under investigation but officials ruled out any “hostile activity,” it said.

The two crew members are part of Strike Fighter Squadron 211, based out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.

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