Others described the pilot's efforts to save the EP-3 reconnaissance plane and 24-member crew as heroic.

CNN: U.S. pilot struggled to regain control after collision

The EP-3 is capable of a 12-hour flight and has a range of 3, 000 nautical miles.

CNN: U.S. pilot struggled to regain control after collision

The flights are coming out of Oman and are mainly being conducted by P-3 and EP-3 aircraft.

CNN: Official: Enemy forces ambush U.S. forces, kill soldier

The EP-3 aircraft is configured to gather electronic intelligence and will be able to monitor communications activity in the region.

CNN: U.S. aircraft monitoring coasts of Somalia, Yemen

Neal Sealock, one of the diplomats who attended the hourlong meeting Sunday morning (Saturday afternoon ET) with the 24-member crew of the Navy EP-3 surveillance plane.

CNN: briefing