The two Saudi pilots of an F-15 fighter jet, similar to the one pictured, ejected over the Gulf of Aden on Friday. File photo by Joe Marino-Bill Cantrell/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, March 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. military rescued two Saudi pilots Friday after they ejected from their fighter jet over the Gulf of Aden.

The F-15 had mechanical problems, forcing the two pilots to eject over the water, NBC News reported.


A defense official declined to explain to The Wall Street Journal why the pilots ejected.

A U.S. Air Force Pave Hawk HH-60 helicopter flew from Djibouti to the gulf to rescue the pilots. Guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett coordinated the effort and the USS New York was also involved.

Officials described the pilots as ambulatory, but refused to comment further on their condition.

The Gulf of Aden is located south of Yemen and north of Djibouti. Saudi Arabia earlier this week launched a military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen after the rebels overtook parts of the port of Aden.