An F-35 fighter jet crashed during a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday, but the pilot managed to eject safely, base officials confirmed. The incident occurred while the jet was landing, following an “in-flight malfunction,” as stated by U.S. Air Force Colonel Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing.
The crash, which took place in the afternoon, caused “significant damage” to the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, though the pilot was unharmed. After ejecting, the pilot was taken to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
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Colonel Townsend assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to understand the cause of the malfunction and prevent future incidents. The Air Force is committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel and equipment during operations.
The F-35 program, the Pentagon’s most expensive defense initiative, is currently facing financial hurdles, as Lockheed Martin reported delays in upgrades and a projected dip in profits for 2025.
