The Navy has ended its search for a fighter pilot presumed dead after two jets crashed Friday in the Pacific Ocean, west of Wake Island, officials said.

The pilot, whose identity has not been released, was involved in a collision of two F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.

“This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community,” Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.


The crash occurred about seven miles from the aircraft carrier. One pilot was rescued by helicopter and has been treated and released, Navy officials said.

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