Seoul, South Korea - An F-16 fighter jet crashed into the sea off South Korea's southwestern coast on Monday. Thankfully, the pilot managed to safely eject from the aircraft before the crash, according to U.S. and South Korean military officials.
The unidentified pilot was quickly rescued by South Korean maritime forces and is currently "awake and in stable condition," as reported by the U.S. 8th Fighter Wing. The pilot will soon be transported back to Kunsan Air Base near the southwestern port city of Gunsan, where further evaluation will take place.
This incident occurred during a routine training flight, forcing the pilot to eject due to an unspecified in-flight emergency. The 8th Fighter Wing, which consists of two F-16 squadrons, is currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of this emergency.
"We express our gratitude for the safe recovery of our Airman by our ROK Allies and are relieved to hear that the pilot is in good condition," stated Col. Matthew C. Gaetke, the commander of the 8th Fighter Wing, giving recognition to the Republic of Korea (ROK), South Korea's official name.
It is worth noting that this incident comes after a tragic event in southern Japan, where a U.S. Air Force Osprey aircraft crashed during a training mission on November 29, claiming the lives of all eight individuals on board.
