US fighter crew rescued from crash in Okinawa sea

A US fighter jet crashed off Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa on Monday, according to a statement issued by US Seventh Fleet.

The two pilots ejected safely and were rescued by a US military helicopter, the statement said.

The Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 crashed in waters around 290 kilometers away from Okinawa around 11:45 a.m. local time.

The fighter experienced mechanical issues while conducting its routine operations.