A Marine Harrier pilot is in stable condition after ejecting during a takeoff from Djibouti Ambouli International Airport on Tuesday, according to military officials.
The pilot of the AV-8B Harrier currently is receiving medical care.
“Doctors said the pilot was in stable condition while being evaluated at Camp Lemonnier’s expeditionary medical facility,” Navy Cmdr. William Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said in a statement.
The incident occurred just after 4 p.m. local time.
The pilot and aircraft are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 aboard the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima.
“There are no reports of injuries to personnel on the ground nor damage to infrastructure at the airport,” Urban said. “The airport is open.”
Marines are on board the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The 26th MEU is in the region to take part in an exercise called Alligator Dagger, a two-week training to prepare Marines and sailors with the MEU and Amphibious Ready Group for operations within Central Command.
The accident is under investigation.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
