HONOLULU -- Pacific Air Force officials on Wednesday announced 65 percent of the region's F-15s are cleared to return to flying.

Military leaders grounded the nation's fleet of F-15s after a jet broke apart during flight over Missouri on Nov. 2.

After completing fleet inspections, Air Force leaders approved more than half of the jets to return to duty. The remaining 35 percent will undergo further tests, officials said.

"I am confident the F-15s returned to flight meet the same high standards of safety we expect with all Air Force aircraft while performing their mission," Commander of Pacific Air Forces Gen. Carrol H. Chandler said in a written statement.

F-15 pilots worked in flight simulators during the no-fly period, officials said.

The Pentagon scheduled a news conference on Thursday to discuss the findings of the Missouri jet incident.