Navy Pilot Rescued From FL Waters After Ejecting From Fighter Jet

KEY WEST, FL — A Navy pilot ejected from a fighter jet into waters off the Florida Keys Wednesday morning, Naval Air Station Key West wrote in a Facebook post.

The pilot, assigned to Fighter Squadron Composite 111, a Navy reserve unit known as the "Sun Downers," flies "adversary" planes against other fighter pilots in mock combat dog fights, WSVN reported. He was forced to eject from the plane after experiencing technical issues.

He ejected from an F-5N aircraft about 25 miles from Boca Chica Field just before 9:30 a.m., the Navy said.

An air station search-and-rescue crew launched a MH-60S helicopter to find and rescue the pilot. He was brought to a Miami-area hospital for treatment.

The incident will be investigated to determine the cause, the air station said.