Debris from the missing F-35 fighter jet, which disappeared after its pilot ejected over South Carolina, has been discovered just hours after the military reached out to the public for assistance.
Joint Base Charleston had issued a plea for any information that could aid in the recovery of the $80 million aircraft. The pilot successfully ejected and landed safely in a residential area in North Charleston on Sunday afternoon. He was then transported to a local hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition, according to Maj. Melanie Salinas.
The pilot's identity has not yet been disclosed. On Monday, military officials announced that debris from the plane had been located. Joint Base Charleston, in coordination with local authorities and MCAS Beaufort, found the debris field in Williamsburg County, approximately two hours northeast of JB Charleston. The recovery team is securing the area, and the incident command will be transferred to the USMC as they begin the recovery process.
In response to the incident, Marine Corps Commandant Eric Smith has ordered a two-day stand-down for all aviation units, both within and outside of the United States. This stand-down, which will occur at some point this week, will require all units to engage in a two-day discussion on safety measures and procedures before resuming flight operations, as stated in an email obtained by ABC News.
The search for the missing F-35 Lightning II jet had initially focused on Lake Moultrie, approximately 50 miles from North Charleston, based on the plane's last known location and trajectory. Senior Master Sgt. Heather Stanton at Joint Base Charleston revealed that the pilot had activated the autopilot function prior to ejecting.
While the military sought assistance from the public, many individuals took to social media to express their disbelief that such an expensive piece of military equipment could go missing. Platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, were flooded with memes mocking both the military and the Biden administration over the embarrassing incident.
Jeremy Huggins, spokesperson for Joint Base Charleston, explained that the F-35's transponder was not functioning, which prompted the public request for help. He further noted that the stealth capabilities of the aircraft, including its unique coatings and designs, make it more challenging to detect compared to conventional planes, as reported by The Washington Post.
The search efforts for the F-35 were joined by a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter once the inclement weather in the area had cleared, according to Stanton. Military officials utilized online platforms to appeal for assistance from the public in locating the missing aircraft. The investigation into the pilot's decision to eject is still ongoing.
Fortunately, the pilot of a second F-35 returned safely to Joint Base Charleston, as confirmed by Maj. Melanie Salinas. However, the incident has raised concerns among lawmakers, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who expressed her astonishment on Twitter, asking how an F-35 could be lost and why there is no tracking device in place.
Lawmakers have recently criticized the escalating costs associated with the production of F-35s. A report from May 2023 revealed that the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program has accumulated a total maintenance cost of $1.7 trillion, exceeding its budget by $183 billion.
The F-35 is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and was being operated by the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 based in Beaufort, near the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. The Air Force categorizes accidents resulting in death, injury, illness, or property damage as "mishaps." The Washington Post reported that the first-ever F-35 crash in 2018 was classified as a "Class A" mishap, indicating damages exceeding $2 million. In October of last year, another F-35 crashed and burst into flames at the end of a runway in Salt Lake City after the pilot ejected.
Following the Salt Lake City crash, the Hill Air Force Base conducted a comprehensive F-35 recovery course, which covered various scenarios such as collapsed nose gear, pilot extraction, and aircraft hoisting. The training aimed to equip personnel with the necessary skills to handle mishaps safely and effectively. Master Sgt. Andrew Wilkow, an instructor and course designer, emphasized the importance of such training for both the U.S. military and partner countries operating the F-35.
The Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, from which the pilot in the recent incident took off, is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Charleston. The base is home to several units of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, including the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, which operates F-35B Lightning IIs.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/09/18/13/75554261-12530467-image-a-25_1695039356651.jpgThe base spans 6,900 acres and accommodates around 4,700 military personnel. It utilizes a large air-to-air combat area off the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, as well as an air-to-ground combat and bombing range in Georgia's McIntosh County.
This incident is reminiscent of the "Cornfield Bomber" incident in 1970 when a pilot flying a Convair F-106 Delta Dart encountered difficulties and was forced to eject. The reduced weight caused by the ejection, combined with the force, resulted in the plane's nose dipping, and it ultimately landed safely in a farmer's field in Montana with minimal damage. The aircraft is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
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