F-22 pilot ejects before crash near Air Force base in Florida

An F-22 fighter pilot ejected before his jet crashed Friday during a routine training mission in Florida, according to the Air Force.

The aircraft — which was based at Eglin Air Force Base in the state’s panhandle — crashed at approximately 9:15 a.m. about 12 miles northeast of the main base, Eglin said in a statement. The crash occurred on base property, on the test and training range.

The pilot, who was not named, “ejected safely from the aircraft” and was taken to a hospital on base, the Air Force said in a statement, adding that “he is currently in stable condition.”

There were no other individuals on the aircraft, no additional injuries and no damage to civilian property, the release said.

The crash happened during a “routine training flight with the 33rd Fighter Wing,” though the jet was assigned to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, part of the 325th Fighter Wing currently based at Eglin.

A board of officers will investigate the incident, the Air Force added.

The Air Force uses F-22 Raptors to protect U.S. airspace, frequently intercepting Russian aircraft near Alaska. The service has about 183 of the stealth jets.