UPDATE: The Navy has identified 26-year-old Lt. Nathan Poloski from Lake Arrowhead Ca. as the pilot who was presumed dead Saturday.
The other pilot involved in the crash was rescued and has been released from medical treatment onboard the Carl Vinson.
Western Pacific Ocean - Two F/A-18C Hornets based on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson crashed in the Western Pacific Ocean on Friday.
The two Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time.
The two aircraft are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore , according to a release from the Navy.
Officials say the collision happened just after both jets had taken off from the flight deck.
Ashliman said the jets were involved in routine flight operations and the investigation was ongoing.
The two jets crashed about 290 miles west of Wake Island, the spokeswoman, Lt. Lauren Cole, told CNN. Wake Island is more than 2,400 miles west of Hawaii.
One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson.
The rescued pilot is in fair condition and receiving medical treatment on the Vinson.
The USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Dewey and USS Sterett, as well as helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 are participating in the search and rescue mission for the second pilot.
The two crashed F/A-18C Hornets have not been recovered.
All remaining airborne aircraft safely returned to the Carl Vinson.
Carl Vinson and embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 are currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
