A US Air Force F-16 crashed in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday; the pilot safely ejected.  It was apparently part of a flight from Japan to the United States — meaning it was far from home (and potentially land) when the pilot ejected.  That may explain why he spent 6 hours in the water and was eventually picked up by a commercial — not military — vessel.

With various controversies ongoing over crashing Ospreys and the presence of Marines, the US was quick to praise the alliance with Japan that aided in the pilot’s recovery.

As with every other aircraft incident, the Air Force will investigate to determine the cause over the next month or so.