F-35 Fighter Jet Crashes in Alaska

An F-35 fighter jet from the US Air Force crashed on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska on Tuesday around 12:49pm. The pilot involved in the incident was reported safe and transported to Bassett Army Hospital for further assessment. Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet, a spokesperson for Eielson, said: "It's still under investigation, so they're trying to confirm all the details," and a news conference was scheduled for later the same day.

Significant damage occurred to the aircraft, according to an official Air Force release. Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing, said: "Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security. 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 Air Force Base, located approximately 25 miles south of Fairbanks, was chosen in 2016 to host 54 F-35 jets. This selection spurred an expansion costing over a half-billion dollars, which included the construction of 36 new buildings and accommodations for about 3,500 new active duty airmen and their families. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)