SAN DIEGO — The crew of a Marine Corps fighter jet that crashed into the Pacific Ocean was rescued early today after spending hours in the waters off San Diego, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer plucked the two Marines from the ocean at about 2:30 a.m. and they were flown to a hospital where they were listed in stable condition, said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry G. Dunphy.

“They were just basically floating in the water” when the crew of a search boat heard them calling for help about 35 miles offshore and called in a helicopter, Dunphy said.

The two were found about 85 miles southwest of San Diego, he said.

The Marines were aboard an F/A-18 Hornet that was flying with another jet that reported it missing around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The other aircraft was able to tell the Coast Guard the general area where the plane vanished and an air and sea search began, Dunphy said.

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The aircraft were based at the local Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The missing jet was not recovered, Dunphy said.

7 a.m.

SAN DIEGO — Search-and-rescue teams took to the air and water early today looking for a Marine Corps fighter jet that went missing over the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The aircraft was flying with another jet when contact with the plane was lost, said Coast Guard spokesman Henry Dunphy Wednesday night. Crews were searching for the F/A-18 Hornet in the area about 60 miles southwest of San Diego and 35 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico.

The Coast Guard was notified about the missing jet around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dunphy said.

Several aircraft were being used in the mission. Two Coast Guard cutters and a Navy ship have been diverted into the area.

A spokesman for the Marine Corps confirmed the jet is assigned to the Marines.

The aircraft is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, said Marine Corp. Capt. Brian Block.

Officials have not released how many crew members were aboard the plane. Additional details were not immediately available.


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