US F-35 Damaged by Suspected Iranian Fire Makes Emergency Landing, Sources Say
Source: CNN
A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth jet was flying a combat mission over Iran when it was forced to make an emergency landing. Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation.
The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition, Hawkins added. This incident is under investigation.
The incident would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the war started in late February. Both the US and Israel are flying F-35s in the conflict; the aircraft costs upwards of $100 million.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/f-35-damage-iran-war
We've degraded their AA so much they are shooting down our 2nd best stealth fighter. Bravo!
https://packaged-media.redd.it/e0pnaqqw01qg1/pb/m2-res_262p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&var=sgpssan&v=1&e=1773954000&s=547d8d3fc9e8f00a2b62ff987b838c31705e51a5
I cannot verify the veracity of that video.
FBaggins
(28,705 posts)ruet
(10,261 posts)EX500rider
(12,526 posts)Fire enough stuff in the air and eventually you'll accidentally hit something
ruet
(10,261 posts)EX500rider
(12,526 posts)No doubt some have but I doubt the US is issuing any numbers and I wouldn't trust Iran's...ymmv
ruet
(10,261 posts)To be as accurate as possible, things as they are, that includes some that have been hit by Iranian ordinance while on the ground.
Prairie Gates
(8,050 posts)Hitting a jet is theoretical until you have to do it.
It took the Iraqi resistance months to figure out how to properly ambush American convoys, but, boy, once they figured it out, it was off to the races.
naftali
(18 posts)Reports of a U.S. F-35 making an emergency landing after suspected Iranian fire are deeply concerning and highlight how quickly regional tensions can escalate. If confirmed, this would mark a serious development with potential global implications.
Deminpenn
(17,458 posts)actual combat against a determined, well-armed enemy. No one really knows how the planes will perform.
I recall back when Reagan was president, two F14s engaged with 2 Libyan Russian made fighter jets and shot them down. At my command the general reaction was, "they work!".