Navy Pilot Rescued After Ejecting From F-5 Jet Off Florida Coast

An F-5N Tiger II aircraft, based out of Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., on Sept. 11, 2019. Toiete Jackson/U.S. Navy photo

A Navy pilot was rescued from the waters off Florida’s coast on Wednesday after he ejected from an F-5 aircraft.

Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West confirmed that the pilot ejected from a Northrop F-5 Tiger II(F-5N) at about 9:20 a.m., about 25 miles from Boca Chica Field.

Search and rescue crews from NAS Key West traveled in an MH-60S helicopter and rescued the pilot. He was later transported to a Miami-area hospital for further evaluation, the naval air station said.

The pilot was assigned to a Navy Reserve squadron called the Fighter Squadron Composite 111, known as the “Sun Downers,” based at the Naval Air Station Key West.

He was conducting a routine training exercise when he had to eject.

“The safety and well-being of our pilot remains our top priority. The cause of the incident will be investigated,” said NAS Key West.

The Navy says the F-5N aircraft is a “tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training.” It adds that the aircraft “serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode.”

U.S. Navy Capt. Geoff Hughes told ABC affiliate WPLG the pilot was released from Jackson Memorial Hospital by late Wednesday. Hughes said he was grateful for the quick work of the search and rescue crews, and the medical staff at the hospital.

“It’s part of the job. We’re all aware of it,” Hughes told the station. “We do everything we can to avoid the situation that he found himself in—but sometimes things happen.”