ANCHORAGE, Alaska USA: Pilot Safe After US Air Force's F-35 Fighter Jet Crashed In Alaska - An F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, but fortunately, the pilot ejected safely beforehand. The incident took place around 1:00 AM local time, and the cause is still under investigation, according to base commander Col. Paul Townsend. The pilot, who hasn’t been named, was taken to Bassett Army Hospital and is in stable condition.
A video of the crash quickly made its way online, showing the jet spiraling down before exploding on impact, with the pilot’s parachute floating down in the background. An Air Force spokesperson later confirmed that the video was real.
“Our people are our most valuable resource, and we’re committed to ensuring their safety and security,” Colonel Townsend said. “We will carry out a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.”
The F-35 jets are gradually replacing the Air Force’s older fleet and are also used by the Navy and Marines. Each jet costs around USD 100 million.
In another incident from last year, a Marine Corps investigation revealed that an F-35 that went missing had flown for 11 minutes after the pilot ejected before it crashed. The cause was identified to be the error of the pilot.
In May, an F-35 crashed while traveling from Texas to Edwards Air Force Base in California after the pilot made a refueling stop in New Mexico. The pilot was seriously injured.
In October, another Marine investigation found that a pilot ejected unnecessarily from an F-35 in South Carolina, causing the jet to fly unmanned for 11 minutes before it crashed.
The F-35 Fighter Jet is an advanced, multi-role fighter aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force. With its advanced sensors and avionics, the F-35 can gather and share critical battlefield information with other aircraft and ground units in real-time. Its impressive capabilities make it a game-changer in modern air combat.
