A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashed during a training exercise at Eielson Base, Alaska, but the pilot ejected safely and is in stable condition, military officials confirmed.
According to Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, the pilot experienced an inflight malfunction and declared an emergency before the crash. The incident occurred during the landing phase, forcing the pilot to eject moments before impact.
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The Air Force confirmed the aircraft sustained significant damage, but no injuries were reported on the ground. A full investigation is underway to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
Eielson Base, located 25 miles (40 km) south of Fairbanks, is home to advanced fighter training operations.
