ONSLOW COUNTY -- A U.S. fighter jet crashed in Libya after an apparent equipment malfunction but both crew members were able to eject and were back in American hands with only minor injuries, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

The F-15E Strike Eagle jet was conducting a mission Monday night against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's air defenses when it crashed at 2130 GMT (5:30 p.m. EDT), said Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Africa Command.

Officials from Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station said the US military used an Osprey and a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from 26th MEU to recover the aircraft and the pilots. This tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission is called "TRAP" for short.

Lejeune Marines rescued one pilot. Anti-Gadhafi forces rescued the other and then returned that pilot to the 26th MEU.

One pilot is in good condition, the condition of the other is unknown; they both suffered minor injuries.

While spokespeople for Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station could not comment on any civilian casualites from this mission, a release from the 26th MEU noted: "United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces."

*NewsChannel 12's Carly Swain and John Swartz contributed to this report.