SAN DIEGO – Coast Guard crews rescued two Marines after their F/A-18 Hornet jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean approximately 85 miles southwest of San Diego, Aug. 10, 2011.
Both Marines are in stable condition.
After notification of the downed aircraft, the Coast Guard launched a number of assets to begin the rescue mission. Once on scene, the Coast Guard Cutter Edisto heard the Marines and vectored the Coast Guard MH-60 Jahawk helicopter to the survivors’ location. The Jahawk’s aircrew maneuvered into position and the rescue swimmer deployed to recover the Marines where they were hoisted into the helicopter and immediately flown to the hospital.
A number of Coast Guard assets responded to the scene, including the Coast Guard Cutter Edisto homeported in San Diego, the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau homeported in Alameda, Calif., a C-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Sacramento-the first asset on scene, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Sector San Diego.
The Coast Guard received notification at 10:15 p.m. that the F/A-18 Hornet jet carrying two aircrew members was reported missing after experiencing a loss of communications.
Weather conditions on scene were clear with winds at 29 knots.
