A Marine Corps pilot safely ejected from an F-35B Lightning II fighter jet over North Charleston, South Carolina on Sunday afternoon. The pilot used an emergency parachute to escape the jet after a “mishap”. The pilot was found on South Kenwood Drive around 3 PM and is being treated at a local hospital.
The search for the missing aircraft is focused on two lakes near North Charleston. The lakes are Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. The U.S. military is asking for help to find the plane, which is believed to have crashed.
The pilot was flying the jet as part of a training exercise out of a U.S. Marine Corps air station in Beaufort. The jet was locked onto autopilot mode before the pilot ejected. The pilot’s identity has not been disclosed.
“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 public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the effort continues,” the base added. 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.
