Search Continues for Missing Marine Corps F-35B

Teams continue to search for the fighter jet using ground and air assets, military officials said Monday.

Monday, September 18, 2023 at 03:47 PM ET

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An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), conducts expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO) support and short take-off and vertical landings on simulated narrow roads at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. [File photo courtesy: U.S. Marine Corps]

Key Takeaways:

A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet went missing near Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday after its pilot safely ejected.
The pilot was taken to a local hospital, while a massive search operation by multiple military and civilian agencies is underway to locate the missing aircraft.
The search is focused on areas north of Joint Base Charleston, specifically around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion.
As of Monday afternoon, the jet's location remained unknown, prompting public inquiry into how such an advanced aircraft could be lost.

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The search for a missing Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II continued Monday afternoon, one day after a pilot ejected from the aircraft during a mishap near Charleston, South Carolina.

The pilot of the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort-based fighter jet ejected safely over North Charleston on Sunday afternoon while flying with another F-35. The pilot was taken to a local hospital, and the second F-35 landed at Joint Base Charleston, The Island News reported.