Search for missing F-35 Lightning II fighter jet continues after pilot ejects during 'mishap'
The F-35 is suspected to have crashed north of the Air Force base
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}U.S. military officials are searching for a missing F-35 jet after a "mishap" caused its pilot to eject on Sunday afternoon.
Joint Base Charleston said on Facebook that the aircraft was a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II belonging to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The pilot ejected safely and was transported to a local medical center.
The base is working with Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to help locate the missing aircraft. Emergency response teams have been deployed to find the jet.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Based on the jet’s last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion," Joint Base Charleston said in a statement on Facebook.
The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is seen during a public display at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix on March 17, 2018. (Yichuan Cao/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the effort continues," the base added.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Monday afternoon, Joint Base Charleston told Fox News Digital that they are still searching for the aircraft. Navy Region Southeast, the FAA, the Civil Air Patrol and various South Carolina authorities are assisting them.
"Teams continue to search for the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, using both ground and air assets," the statement read. "We appreciate the support we’ve received from our mission partners and every organization involved, as integrated teams are searching and preparing for the recovery of the jet."
Anyone with information about the jet's whereabouts is urged to contact JB Charleston Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An F-35 Lightning II performs at the 2023 NAF El Centro Air Show at Naval Air Facility El Centro in El Centro, California, on March 11, 2023. (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
There is no additional information about the incident at this time. Authorities are actively investigating the situation.
Fox News Digital reached out to Joint Base Charleston for more details, but none were available.
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