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IWAKUNI, Japan – A search and rescue operation was underway off the coast of Japan Wednesday after a Marine F/A-18 crashed in the ocean, the military said.

The jet fighter, which was assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and stationed at the Marine’s Iwakuni Air Station, was conducting a training flight when it went down at about 6:40 p.m. local time, according to 1st Lt. Joseph Butterfield.

The pilot reportedly ejected from the plane before it hit the water. Several ships and aircraft were searching for the downed pilot.