The United States military is currently seeking assistance in locating one of its fighter jets that disappeared after a “mishap” over the weekend. What makes this situation even more astonishing is the possibility that the jet may still be flying around unmanned.
The missing aircraft is the F-35, an esteemed and advanced aircraft, which officials from South Carolina’s Joint Base Charleston have declared as missing. In a public service announcement released on Sunday, they informed the public that they were unable to locate this particular stealth jet after the pilot ejected during a training exercise.
To bring awareness to the situation, officials tweeted, “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.”
However, the specifics of the incident leading to the pilot’s need to eject have not been disclosed by the officials. What is known is that the F-35 was in autopilot mode when the pilot bailed out.
One intriguing aspect of this incident is the careful language employed by the Air Force, choosing not to use the word “crash” to describe the potential location of the missing jet. While one might assume that a crash had occurred, the Air Force is withholding any confirmation regarding whether they believe the jet is in the air or not.
This ambiguity has sparked numerous speculations, with some suggesting that the jet continues to fly, akin to a zombie aircraft. The Air Force has focused their search efforts around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, based on the last-known position of the jet. Additionally, they are coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to precisely determine the aircraft’s whereabouts.
In an effort to involve the public in the search, officials have urged anyone who spots the aircraft to call 843-963-3600. This outreach demonstrates the magnitude of this situation and the significance of locating the missing fighter jet.
In conclusion, the disappearance of the F-35 fighter jet following a “mishap” has raised concerns within the United States military. The potential for an unmanned aircraft to still be flying is truly remarkable. The officials from South Carolina’s Joint Base Charleston have requested assistance from the public in locating the missing jet. While details of the incident leading up to the pilot’s ejection remain undisclosed, the Air Force has cautiously refrained from describing the situation as a crash. Instead, they continue their search efforts, focusing on the last-known position of the aircraft and coordinating with the FAA. If you happen to see the missing F-35, do not hesitate to call 843-963-3600. The urgency to find the jet is evident, and every effort to locate it is crucial.