Video
Colleagues of F-18 pilot hold ‘missing man’ flyover for Major Taj Sareen in return to US base
CAPT Taj "Cabbie" Sareen of VMFA-232 "Red Devils" from MCAS Miramar stands next to his F/A-18 C Hornet at the 2015 NAF El Centro Airshow. Picture: Norman A. Graf - Credit: Norman A. Graf
The US F-18 pilot who died in a tragic crash in Cambridgeshire last week has been paid a major military tribute by his colleagues as they returned to their home base in California.
Four F-18 Hornets created a missing man formation in honour of Major Taj Sareen when they returned to Miramar Air Station in California yesterday.
The planes were returning from RAF Lakenheath, six miles from the site of last Wednesday's crash at Redmere, near Shippea Hill.
Major Sareen was hailed as a hero following the crash, after he was believed to have diverted his plane away from houses before ejecting into a field.
A video of the flyover was shared by Preston Phillips, ABC 10 News anchor and a friend of Major Sareen.
He described the flypast as: 'Such a tribute to my friend'.
A fund set up for his family has since raised more than $58,000.
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His remains were repatriated to the US some time last week.
An investigation into the crash could continue for two weeks.
Efforts to recover the aircraft began on Monday and are set to continue in the coming days.
