A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed on Tuesday at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, but the pilot was reported to be safe, according to military officials. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. local time (2200GMT) on the runway, as confirmed by Airman 1st Class Spencer Hanson in a report by Anchorage Daily News.
The 354th Fighter Wing’s public affairs office referred to the incident as an “aircraft incident,” noting that while the crash caused significant damage, it occurred within the base’s fenced area. The pilot was promptly taken to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation.
Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the crash and prevent future occurrences. He emphasized the importance of the safety and security of their personnel. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
