The U.S. military has launched a public appeal to help locate a missing F-35 fighter jet after the pilot ejected from the aircraft. The fighter jet disappeared while flying over South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, successfully ejected and safely parachuted to the ground. Reportedly, the pilot is in stable condition and currently receiving medical care in a hospital, as reported by BBC.
The call for assistance was made by the U.S. military facility, Joint Base Charleston, through its official X account on social media.
They said, “We’re working with @MCASBeaufortSC (Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort) 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.”
According to the statement, the search is focused north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion based on the jet’s last-known position. The search is being carried out with federal aviation regulators.
The F-35 is reportedly one of the largest and most expensive weapons programme of its type in the world.
