According to a local television report, authorities confirmed that the wreckage of the F-35 fighter jet that disappeared in South Carolina has been located in Florence County. The update came through ABC News, which cited the on-scene coverage and corroborating statements from military officials following an intensive search by air and ground teams. The discovery marks a critical turn in a case that has drawn national attention because it involves one of the most advanced fifth-generation fighters in the United States military and raises questions about how an aircraft of this caliber can go missing in a densely populated coastal region.
Earlier coverage indicated that military ground teams were actively combing the area to recover the aircraft remains. In the wake of the incident, teams worked with careful coordination to secure the site, document the wreckage, and preserve evidence that could shed light on what happened. The search spanned multiple jurisdictions and relied on a combination of radar data, satellite intelligence, and on-site reconnaissance to pinpoint the most probable location and to establish a safe perimeter for investigation and recovery operations.
It was public knowledge before this development that the newest F-35 fighter jet had been lost somewhere in South Carolina. Charleston Air Force Base had initially confirmed that the pilot had ejected and remained unharmed, though the exact location of the aircraft was not disclosed in the initial briefing. Authorities emphasized that the pilot’s safety was the primary concern and requested patience from the public while investigators determined the circumstances surrounding the ejection. There was an explicit appeal to American citizens to assist by sharing any information that could help locate the aircraft and identify potential witnesses who might have seen the event unfold.
In a separate statement from the United States Marine Corps, it was noted that the incident involved an F-35B variant assigned to the 501st Fighter Training Squadron, part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The pilot was transported to a medical facility and was reported to be in stable condition. The Marine Corps described the aircraft as a short takeoff and vertical landing model, renowned for its flexibility in carrier operations and expeditionary air support. The F-35B’s propulsion system was developed with significant contributions from Rolls-Royce Defense, reflecting a collaboration that brings together advanced engineering and multinational aerospace expertise to deliver modern, stealth-capable capabilities for ground- and air-based missions.
The broader context around the F-35 program continues to include international defense considerations and allied decision-making. In related regional defense news, the United States has considered or approved various aircraft deployments to support security objectives in Europe and neighboring regions. Notably, there have been discussions about sending F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine as part of broader deterrence and defense support measures. This set of decisions underscores the ongoing emphasis on interoperability, training, and rapid deployment readiness among allied air forces, alongside the emphasis on developing and maintaining advanced aircraft like the F-35 in a way that supports joint operations and strategic deterrence across North America and beyond.