United States military officials are searching for a missing F-35 fighter jet, fifth-generation stealth fighter, after its pilot ejected safely over South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Joint Base Charleston, airforce base in North Charleston, in a post on X sought the help of the public to provide any information regarding the missing jet. The airforce is coordinating with the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to locate the missing aircraft.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to find the jet as well.
In a statement on Facebook, Joint Base Charleston said that "Based on the jet's last kown position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Late Marion."
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the airforce base said that the pilot ejected safely and sought public's help in locating the aircraft.
We’re working with @MCASBeaufortSC to locate an F-35 that was involved in a mishap this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600.
— Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023
Reportedly, the pilot was found on South Kenwood Drive in North Charleston after the pilot ejected safely.
Also investigation is underway to find out the reason on what forced the pilot to eject. Reportedly, the planes and pilots were part of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which is based in Beaufort.
F-35 represents the leading edge of US fighter technology. The aircraft was displayed during the Aero India 2023. The F-35 stealth fighter can carry out air strikes on ground targets as well as engage other aircraft in air superiority missions as well.
