A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in the United States as military officials now seek public assistance in locating a missing F-35 Lightning II jet valued at $80 million.
According to a CNN report, a US fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II vanished on Sunday (September 17), after its pilot was forced to eject mid-air due to a training mishap. The search for this high-value aircraft is ongoing, with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter recently joining the search operation.
However, a perplexing development emerged when Joint Base Charleston appealed for local residents' help through online posts on Sunday. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, in a strong response, questioned the absence of a tracking device on this multimillion-dollar fighter jet.
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 at 843-963-3600.
— Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023
The search for the missing F-35 Lightning II jet is primarily concentrated around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, both located north of North Charleston, where the pilot ejected.
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 (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023
After ejecting from the jet and deploying a parachute in the Charleston neighborhood, the pilot (whose name remains undisclosed) was promptly transported to a local hospital, where they were determined to be in stable condition.
South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace reacted with strong criticism to the news of the missing jet. She questioned whether the F-35 was equipped with a tracking system and how it was possible for the public to spot such an advanced military aircraft.
Now that I got that out of the way. How in the hell do you lose an F-35?
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) September 18, 2023
How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?
In line with Congresswoman Nancy Mace's comments, the internet is abuzz with inquiries about how individuals can contribute to the search for the missing jet. Memes and tweets poking fun at the US Military's call for public assistance have inundated social media platforms.
— Stephen (@iDroidGuy) September 18, 2023
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 18, 2023
This is 2023 and I can literally track my AirPods charging case when I lose it, that’s a whole jet dfkm 😭
— Clef the unknown designer (@high_clef) September 18, 2023
The US military is asking the public for help in locating a missing $80 million F-35 stealth fighter jet that disappeared over North Charleston, South Carolina.
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 18, 2023
Officials have reported that there is no concrete evidence of a crash. The pilot has been found and transported to a… pic.twitter.com/rIasB8tWev