A Marine pilot died this morning when his\u00a0F\/A-18C crashed outside of RAF Mildenhall, England, Marine officials have confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, or whether the pilot ejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the pilot,” reads a press release from Headquarters Marine Corps at the Pentagon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The single-seat jet, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California,\u00a0was returning from a rotational deployment to the Middle East, when it failed to rendezvous for a mid-air refueling, British newspaper Daily Express said<\/a><\/span>\u00a0where it was\u00a0attached to Special Purpose Marine\u00a0Air-Ground Task Force\u2013Crisis Response\u2013Central. The unit\u00a0flew daily sorties out of\u00a0al-<\/span>Anbar province, Iraq,\u00a0against Islamic State militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time of the accident the Hornet\u00a0was\u00a0traveling with five other aircraft\u00a0from Bahrain back to Miramar. The other aircraft safely\u00a0diverted\u00a0to nearby RAF Lossiemouth, according to a Marine news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The jet was taking off from RAF Lakenheath, but was not connected to the base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The United Kingdom Coast Guard is currently on the scene of the crash site and is in close coordination with U.S. military officials,” according to the Marine news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More information is forthcoming from officials with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing as more details become avialable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n