Two pilots eject before trainer jet crashes in Mississippi

An Air Force T-38C Talon II jet trainer crashed Wednesday morning in Mississippi, with both pilots safely ejecting, the service has confirmed.

The jet crashed at about 8:30 a.m. in a remote area near Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., according to a statement from the base.

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Local law enforcement and first responders were on the scene after the crash and the pilots were transported to a local hospital for evaluation, officials said.

There were no houses or other structures in the area around the crash, and first responders extinguished a fire that resulted from the downed jet, according to the statement.

The crash happened hours before Defense Secretary James Mattis addressed the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The incident also follows a string of deadly aviation mishaps over the past year that have killed 18 airmen and crew.

That included a previous T-38 crash that killed a pilot in November in Texas.

To address the crashes, the House Armed Services Committee earlier this month endorsed establishing an independent commission to study military aviation safety, included in its annual defense policy bill.

The Air Force also ordered a one-day pause for all flying and maintenance wings to review safety by May 21, but downplayed the idea that there is an overarching trend causing the crashes.