The US military is currently searching for a fighter jet that it lost sight of somewhere over the US state of South Carolina. The pilot had already exited the aircraft using the ejection seat. The military has now asked the population for help in the search.
The pilot safely parachuted from the F-35B Lightning II jet yesterday after an “accident,” the military said on Twitter (X). “If you have information that could help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center,” he said.
We are working with @MCASBeaufortSC to locate an F-35 that crashed this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that could 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
Because of the location and flight path of the missing fighter jet, the search so far has focused on Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, said Sergeant Heather Stanton of the military base in Charleston. Both lakes are north of North Charleston.
APA/AFP/Robert Atanasovski
“Like hell?”
Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina said, “How the hell can you lose an F-35? How come there is no tracking device and we are asking the public to find a jet and turn it in?”
Now that I got that out of the way. How the hell do you lose an F-35?
Since there is no tracking device and we are asking the public to what, find a jet and deliver it?
-Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) September 18, 2023
It is still unclear why the pilot used the ejection seat. Authorities are still investigating the incident. The base also posted on Facebook: “The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as search efforts continue.”