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Air Force F-16 pilot ejects, is rescued

August 3rd 2:43 pm | Jim Paulin Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

The abrupt ending of a flight from Japan ended up with the pilot safely delivered to Cold Bay following two rides on U.S. vessels. The U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean 250 miles Northeast of Hokkaido Island, Japan on July 22.

The pilot spent six hours in the water after ejecting from the jet that was flying to North America.

The pilot was rescued by the U.S. commercial vessel Amber Seas, and later transferred at sea to the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Munro. The Kodiak-based cutter brought the pilot to Cold Bay, Alaska, where the Air Force was awaiting, according to Coast Guard spokesman Grant DeVuyst in Juneau.

Several agencies, including the Japanese Coast Guard, Japan Self Defense Forces, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and civilian vessels in the area responded to the distress call.

"We are thankful for the support from our Japanese friends and other agencies committed to ensuring the safe recovery of our Airman," Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander said in a press release.

The fighter jet was from the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan. The aircraft at the overseas base were grounded for four days following the incident, according to the Air Force.

The cause of the incident will be investigated. Additional information will be released as it becomes available, the Air Force said.

Flights resumed four days later, on July 26, at Misawa Air Base, in order to complete the deployment that was temporarily interrupted by the plane crash.

Following the incident, the remaining aircraft that accompanied the F-16 returned to Misawa in the interest of safety.

"Safety is our primary concern," said Wimmer. "All F-16s have gone through a thorough safety inspection after the mishap occurred and we are completing the mission we started."

Immediately after the incident occurred, the wing ceased flight operations and all aircraft went through an extensive safety inspection process. Along with thoroughly inspecting the aircraft themselves, the process included interviewing all maintainers and pilots who work with the aircraft, testing all the equipment used on the aircraft, examining the aircraft's maintenance history and other various safety checks, according to the Air Force.

Jim Paulin can be reached at jpaulin@reportalaska.com

 

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