Navy Fighter Jet Crashes in Persian Gulf

Two U.S. Navy pilots were rescued Tuesday after a fighter jet crashed into the Persian Gulf. 

The  F/A-18F Super Hornet went down shortly after taking off from the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which had been deployed to the Arabian Gulf amid heavy fighting in Yemen. 

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. The recovered Naval Aviators are being evaluated by medical personnel aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Initial reports indicate both are conscious and alert, and without serious injury.

The U.S. navy has further indicated that the crash was not a result of hostile activity. It is still unknown if the crash was due to pilot error or jet malfunction. 

Strike Fighter Squadron 211 is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, and is assigned to Carrier Air Wing 1. USS Theodore Roosevelt, with its embarked carrier air wing, is currently in the U.S. 5th Fleet supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting strike operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

The Navy is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash.