Latest news with #KimberlyTouchet
The Independent
29-01-2025
- General
- The Independent
F-35 military jet suffers ‘significant damage' in crash at Alaska base
A U.S. Air Force pilot was reported to be safe after a single-seat F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday at a base in Alaska. The accident occurred on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, but it was not immediately known if it occurred while the advanced fighter craft was landing or taking off, Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet told The Associated Press. 'It's still under investigation, so they're trying to confirm all the details,' she said. Officials planned a news conference later Tuesday. A release from the Air Force said an 'incident' occurred about 12:49 p.m., causing significant damage to the aircraft. 'The pilot is safe and has been transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation,' the statement said. Eielson Air Force Base is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Fairbanks. 'Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,' Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said in the statement. 'I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation in hopes to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.' Eielson was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, spawning an expansion that cost more than a half-billion dollars that was to include 36 new buildings and dozens of housing units. The expansion included about 3,500 new active duty airmen and their dependents. With the capability to fly more than 12 hours at a time, the F-35 can reach almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere in one mission. Nearly 400 miles (644 kilometers) south, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage is home to two squadrons of F-22 fighter jets.
Russia Today
29-01-2025
- General
- Russia Today
US F-35 slams into runway & explodes (VIDEO)
An F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, around 1 pm on Tuesday, with authorities reporting that the incident caused 'significant damage' to the aircraft. However, a video circulating online suggests the jet was completely destroyed as it dropped from the sky and slammed into the runway. The pilot was unharmed and was transported to Bassett Army Hospital for evaluation. The crash occurred within the base's perimeter, and emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks, responded quickly. The affected area on the runway has been secured, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. A dramatic video, apparently filmed by base personnel and leaked online, shows the jet plummeting from the sky while the pilot safely descends by parachute. BREAKING: 🇺🇲 F-35 fighter jet crashes at Alaska's Eielson Air Force Base — Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 29, 2025 'Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed to ensuring their safety and security,' said Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing. READ MORE: US 'loses' F-35 stealth fighter The Air Force has launched a thorough investigation into the crash. 'It's still under investigation, so they're trying to confirm all the details,' Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet told the Associated Press. Eielson Air Force Base, located approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks, was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, leading to a significant expansion of the facility. The base's strategic location allows fighter jets to reach anywhere in the northern hemisphere in a single sortie. This incident follows other F-35 incidents in recent years, including a crash in May 2024 during a flight from Texas to California, and an October 2023 incident where a pilot ejected unnecessarily, leaving the aircraft to fly unmanned before crashing in South Carolina.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pilot safe after F-35 military jet suffers 'significant damage' in accident at Alaska base
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A U.S. Air Force pilot was reported to be safe after a single-seat F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday at a base in Alaska. The accident occurred on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, but it was not immediately known if it occurred while the advanced fighter craft was landing or taking off, Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet told The Associated Press. 'It's still under investigation, so they're trying to confirm all the details,' she said. Officials planned a news conference later Tuesday. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. A release from the Air Force said an 'incident' occurred about 12:49 p.m., causing significant damage to the aircraft. 'The pilot is safe and has been transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation,' the statement said. Eielson Air Force Base is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Fairbanks. 'Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,' Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said in the statement. 'I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation in hopes to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.' Eielson was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, spawning an expansion that cost more than a half-billion dollars that was to include 36 new buildings and dozens of housing units. The expansion included about 3,500 new active duty airmen and their dependents. With the capability to fly more than 12 hours at a time, the F-35 can reach almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere in one mission. In May, an F-35 fighter jet on its way from Texas to Edwards Air Force Base near Los Angeles crashed after the pilot stopped to refuel in New Mexico. The pilot was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. In October, a Marine investigation blamed the pilot of an F-35 for ejecting from the aircraft when he didn't need to, causing the fighter to fly unmanned for 11 minutes before it crashed in rural South Carolina in 2023.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- General
- The Independent
Pilot safe after F-35 military jet suffers 'significant damage' in accident at Alaska base
A U.S. Air Force pilot was reported to be safe after a single-seat F-35 fighter jet crashed Tuesday at a base in Alaska. The accident occurred on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, but it was not immediately known if it occurred while the advanced fighter craft was landing or taking off, Eielson spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet told The Associated Press. 'It's still under investigation, so they're trying to confirm all the details,' she said. Officials planned a news conference later Tuesday. A release from the Air Force said an 'incident' occurred about 12:49 p.m., causing significant damage to the aircraft. 'The pilot is safe and has been transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further evaluation,' the statement said. Eielson Air Force Base is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Fairbanks. 'Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,' Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said in the statement. 'I can assure you the United States Air Force will conduct a thorough investigation in hopes to minimize the chances of such occurrences from happening again.' Eielson was selected in 2016 to host 54 F-35s, spawning an expansion that cost more than a half-billion dollars that was to include 36 new buildings and dozens of housing units. The expansion included about 3,500 new active duty airmen and their dependents. With the capability to fly more than 12 hours at a time, the F-35 can reach almost anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere in one mission.
