A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed into the Persian Arabian Gulf Tuesday after launching off the carrier Theodore Roosevelt.
Two naval aviators aboard the Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 211, ejected from the jet and were quickly recovered by search and rescue personnel, 5th Fleet said Tuesday.
"Initial reports indicate both are conscious and alert, and without serious injury," 5th Fleet said.
A 5th Fleet spokesman could not confirm whether the crash was due to pilot error or aircraft malfunction, adding that those details will be sorted out in an investigation to follow.
"We're grateful for the quick work of the search and rescue pilots, and we're grateful that they're on the ship and undergoing medical care, and appear to be doing well," Cmdr. Kevin Stephens told Navy Times.
The Oceana, Virginia-based squadron deployed aboard TR from Norfolk in April and was on-scene as the strike group moved operated off the coast of Yemen amid tensions between the U.S., Yemen and Iran throughout the month.
TR is scheduled for an eight-month deployment to 5th Fleet in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, supporting strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
