Kadena pilot in good condition Published Jan. 17, 2006 KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- An F-15 Eagle from the 44th Fighter Squadron here crashed at approximately 10 a.m. today during an air-to-air training mission. The location of the crash site was at an area known as W-173, an over-water training zone about 65 miles (55 nautical miles) northeast of here. The fighter jet was part of a four-ship F-15 formation that took off from Kadena at approximately 9:30 a.m. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft, and the other three F-15s returned safely to base. An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crew remained in contact with the pilot, who was recovered at approximately 10:50 a.m. by a search and rescue team from Kadena’s 31st and 33rd rescue squadrons. The pilot was recovered in good condition and transported by an HH-60 Pave Hawk to the Camp Lester U.S. Naval Hospital on Okinawa, and later released. The cause of the accident is under investigation and more information will be provided as it becomes available. The F-15, tail number 498, was manufactured in 1978.