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| A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C (Image: Wiki Commons) |
Navy Suspends Search for Hornet Jet Pilot
From a U.S. 7th Fleet News Release
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN, Sept. 13, 2014 – After an extensive search, the Navy today has ended search-and-rescue efforts for the pilot of one of the F/A-18C Hornet aircraft that crashed Sept. 12 approximately 250 nautical miles off the coast of Wake Island.
The pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 has been presumed deceased.
"This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community," said Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
The identity of the pilot will not be released until the family notification process is complete.
Navy units involved in the search-and-rescue efforts included USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 and P-8s from Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 5 in Guam.
The two F/A-18C aircraft, one assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and the other assigned to VFA 113, had launched from the flight deck and were in the process of proceeding to their initial stations when they apparently collided approximately seven miles from the ship.
One pilot was recovered by helicopter shortly after the crash and transported to USS Carl Vinson for medical care. The rescued pilot has since been released from medical facilities aboard the ship.
VFA 94 and VFA 113, both based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, are part of Carrier Air Wing 17, assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
US DoD
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U.S. Navy Identifies F/A-18C Hornet Pilot in Crash; Declared Presumed Dead
From 7th Fleet Public Affairs
Western Pacific Ocean (NNS) -- The Navy has identified Lt. Nathan Poloski, a 26 year old native of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., as the pilot who was declared presumed deceased, Sept. 15.
Poloski was declared presumed deceased following an apparent collision between the F/A-18C Hornet he was flying and another Hornet aircraft during routine flight operations.
A 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Poloski reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, based in Lemoore, Calif., in April, 2014.
"Nathan was an outstanding person, naval officer and aviator," said Cmdr. Michael Langbehn, commanding officer of VFA 94. "My personal thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends and shipmates as they endure this immeasurable loss."
Following the apparent collision the Navy conducted an extensive search for Poloski, covering more than 3,000 square miles using the USS Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley, USS Sterett, USS Dewey, helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Guam, and satellite imagery. The search was unable to locate or recover any remains of the missing aviator.
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, Carrier Air Wing 17, and USS Carl Vinson will hold a memorial service on board USS Carl Vinson to honor the life and service of Lt. Poloski at a date and time to be determined. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
US Navy
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U.S. Navy Identifies F/A-18C Hornet Pilot in Crash; Declared Presumed Dead
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| VFA-94 Insignia (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki) |
Western Pacific Ocean (NNS) -- The Navy has identified Lt. Nathan Poloski, a 26 year old native of Lake Arrowhead, Calif., as the pilot who was declared presumed deceased, Sept. 15.
Poloski was declared presumed deceased following an apparent collision between the F/A-18C Hornet he was flying and another Hornet aircraft during routine flight operations.
A 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Poloski reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, based in Lemoore, Calif., in April, 2014.
"Nathan was an outstanding person, naval officer and aviator," said Cmdr. Michael Langbehn, commanding officer of VFA 94. "My personal thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends and shipmates as they endure this immeasurable loss."
Following the apparent collision the Navy conducted an extensive search for Poloski, covering more than 3,000 square miles using the USS Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley, USS Sterett, USS Dewey, helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Guam, and satellite imagery. The search was unable to locate or recover any remains of the missing aviator.
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, Carrier Air Wing 17, and USS Carl Vinson will hold a memorial service on board USS Carl Vinson to honor the life and service of Lt. Poloski at a date and time to be determined. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
US Navy