Details Emerge in Jet Fighter Crash off Oregon Coast

If any debris from the F-15 jet fighter that crashed 35 miles off the Oregon Coast is found do not touch it. Instead note the location and notify local authorities or the U.S. Coast Guard.

Oregon Guard F-15 Eagle fighter Photo courtesy: U.S. Air Force

(CANNON BEACH, Ore.) - More details are emerging in the crash of an Oregon National Guard F-15 jet fighter today off the state's coastline near Cannon Beach.

Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet

Col Steve Gregg, Commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing, says that at approximately 1:35 PM, an Oregon Air National Guard F-15 jet fighter crashed in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 35 nautical miles west of Cannon Beach Oregon.

"We have located the crash site and The US Coast Guard is currently on scene with a total of three helicopters. A Coast Guard Cutter is enroute from Astoria that we expect to be on scene in 90 minutes."

Gregg says the US Coast Guard is being assisted in the search by 2 Oregon Air Guard F-15's, the Oregon National Guard Emergency Operations Center, and the US Air Force Rescue Center at Tyndall AFB Florida.

"We have brought all resources to bear in this search effort. US Air Forces Northern at Tyndall AFB has established a temporary No Fly area around the crash site so as not to impede our search." At the time of the accident, 4 F-15's and 4 F/A-18's were on a training mission off the Oregon coast. The F/A-18's are from a US Marine Corp Reserve F/A-18 unit out Fort Worth, Texas. Fighters from the Oregon Guard have been training with them for the past two-weeks.

The status of the pilot is unknown at this time, says Gregg. "We will not release the name of the pilot until more details are available. Our focus and concern is on the pilot and the family we would appreciate your thoughts and prayers."

He adds that the cause of the crash is not known and they do not intend will not speculate what the cause may be. He adds that representatives from a formal Air Force Safety Board are convening to start an investigation, and adds that in the meanwhile, their Alert Mission is not affected.