Marine Harrier Crashes During Exercise

[Arjan]

From 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- An AV8B Harrier, belonging to the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), crashed just west of Lake George in the Ocala National Forest, near the town of Salt Springs, Fla., at approximately 8 p.m. July 18.

The jet was based aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and was participating in a composite training unit exercise as part of pre-deployment training for the 26th MEU.

Capt. Jarrod L. Klement, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, ejected from the plane and was airlifted to Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville by local authorities.

Klement is in stable condition. He sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/c2f/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[jp 74]

Capt. Jarrod L. Klement, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, ejected from the plane

Why is a mv22 pilot flying a harrier??
Glad he is ok though.

[Le Addeur noir]

Capt. Jarrod L. Klement, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, ejected from the plane

Why is a mv22 pilot flying a harrier??
Glad he is ok though.

Quite probably this is the AV-8B element of a MEU unit,where the Osprey unit acquires MEU status for a deployment.

[FISHER01]

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