3 US Marines Killed. 20 Wounded, In Osprey Crash During Training Exercise In Australia

 

USA Today: 3 US Marines killed, 20 injured after aircraft crash in Australia during training exercise 

Three U.S. Marines died and 20 others were injured after a Marine Corps aircraft crashed in Australia during a training exercise Sunday, officials said. 

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft was carrying 23 Marines when it crashed on Melville Island. 

Three Marines were confirmed dead and five others were flown to a hospital in the mainland city of Darwin and are in serious condition, the Marines said in a statement, The Associated Press reported.  

Read more .... 

3 US Marines Killed. 20 Wounded, In Osprey Crash During Routine Training In Australia  

A US Marine Osprey crashes during drills in Australia, killing 3 and injuring 20, some critically -- AP 

military aircraft carrying more than 20 Marines crashes over Australia, killing 3 and injuring others -- FOX News  

Three U.S. Marines die in Australia aircraft crash during exercises -- CNBC/Reuters  

3 US Marines killed in aircraft crash in Australia during training exercise -- CNN  

Recovery mission and investigations underway after fatal US military aircraft crash on Melville Island -- ABC News Australia

Pentagon Says 22 US Troops Injured In Syria In Helicopter 'Mishap' Sunday

FILE – A UH-60 Blackhawk, with Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, flies over the Syrian countryside, August 17, 2019. (Spc. Alec Dionne/Army)  

FOX News: US military helicopter 'mishap' in Syria leaves 22 service members injured, CENTCOM says 

US Central Command: Service members receiving treatment for their injuries 

A helicopter "mishap" in Syria over the weekend left 22 service members injured, the U.S. military announced Monday evening. 

U.S. Central Command said in a press release that said the service members suffered "various degrees" of injuries during the incident Sunday in northeastern Syria. 

 Central Command said the injured service members are "receiving treatment for their injuries and 10 have been evacuated to higher care facilities outside of the CENTCOM AOR." No enemy fire was reported, according to the press release. 

The incident is under investigation.  

Read more .... 

Pentagon Says 22 US Troops Injured In Syria In Helicopter 'Mishap' Sunday  

US military says Syria helicopter accident leaves 22 troops injured -- AP  

22 U.S. Troops Are Hurt in Helicopter ‘Mishap’ in Syria -- New York Times  

22 US troops injured in Syria in helicopter 'mishap' Sunday, military says -- ABC News  

22 US service members injured after ‘helicopter mishap’ in northeastern Syria -- CNN

Black Hawk Helicopter Crashes In Alabama Killing 2

 

FOX News: Black Hawk military helicopter crashes near Alabama highway, 2 dead: authorities 

Officials confirmed there were no survivors following a military helicopter crash Wednesday afternoon 

At least two people are dead following a fatal military helicopter crash Wednesday afternoon near Highway 53 near Huntsville, Alabama, Fox News Digital has confirmed. 

The Madison County Sheriff's Office said the fiery crash happened at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Burwell Road and Highway 53 near Huntsville, Alabama. 

Don Webster with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services says the helicopter caught fire upon impact. Webster shared that there were two individuals in the helicopter and both died in the fiery crash.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing 2 crew (AP)  

Update #2: 2 National Guardsmen killed in Black Hawk helicopter crash near Alabama highway (CBS)  

WNU Editor: 2 National Guardsmen were killed in this accident.

F-35B Fighter Jet Pilot Ejects After Attempting To Land At Fort Worth Air Base

This F-35B (STOL) at Fort Worth had a problem. I’m not certain but it appears to me that the pilot couldn’t stop the thrust once it flipped over. The ground ejection was very impressive. pic.twitter.com/uBSASXiWWv

— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) December 15, 2022

CBS DFW: F-35 fighter jet pilot ejected after attempted landing at Fort Worth naval air base 

FORT WORTH, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — A pilot was ejected during an attempted vertical landing at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth this morning. 

The aircraft, identified to CBS 11 as an F35 B Model used by the Marine Corps, was in the process of a vertical landing when the nose began to lean forward as the back wheels lifted up.  

The front of the plane fell into the pavement, and smoke began pouring out of the nose before the pilot was ejected. His parachute deployed and he landed apparently without injury. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: VIDEO: F-35 jet crashes during test flight in Fort Worth (FOX News 4)  

Update #2: Pilot Ejects From F-35B During Failed Vertical Landing at NAS JRB Fort Worth (NBC DFW)  

WNU Editor: Pilot's condition is unknown at the time of this posting.

US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet Crashed At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Wednesday Evening

 

Air Force Times: Air Force F-35 fighter jet crashes in Utah; pilot safely ejects 

An Air Force pilot safely ejected from a F-35A Lightning II fighter jet that crashed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, on Wednesday evening. 

The airman was treated at a local hospital and has since been released, 388th Fighter Wing spokesperson Micah Garbarino told Air Force Times Thursday. 

“The pilot was returning to Hill AFB from a routine training mission when the crash occurred,” Garbarino said. 

“The crash recovery/site investigation is still ongoing, but it appears there was no other damage.” 

Read more .... 

US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet Crashed At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Wednesday Evening  

Ejected pilot safe after F-35 crash at Utah Air Force base -- AP  

Pilot has been safely recovered after ejecting from an F-35 crash at an Air Force Base in Utah -- CNN  

F-35 Has Crashed At Hill Air Force Base (Updated) -- Warzone/The Drive  

Air Force pilot miraculously survives as $78m F-35 crashes in ball of flames in Utah training exercise -- The Independent 

F-35 'totally destroyed,' investigation underway after crash at Hill Air Force Base -- FOX News 

Hill F-35 pilot released from hospital, crash investigation underway -- KSL

South Korean Ballistic Missile Failure Caused Explosion At Base

A South Korean short-range ballistic missile being fired on October 4th, 2022 in response to North Korea's launch of an IRBM over Japan. (South Korean Government)  

Warzone/The Drive: Ballistic Missile Failure Caused Explosion At South Korean Airbase (Updated) 

The explosion occurred during a South Korean Hyunmoo-2 ballistic missile launch intended as a response to North Korea’s own launch. 

The office of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff has confirmed that a Hyunmoo-2 short-range ballistic missile launch failed at a base in the east coast city of Gangneung late on Oct. 4, according to a report from NK News. The South Korean military said there were no casualties from the incident, which caused a large fire.

"The failed launch came during combined US-ROK surface-to-surface missile drills conducted in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile test over Japan earlier Tuesday," a statement from what is officially called the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff said, according to NK News. "The US and ROK each successfully fired 2 ATACMS [Army Tactical Missile System short-range ballistic missiles] at targets in the sea."  

Read more ....  

Update #1: South Korea missile crash during drill with U.S. panics wary city (Politico) 

Update #2: South Korea military apologises after failed missile launch sparks alarm (BBC)  

WNU Editor: I am sure the residents had a good scare .... Residents near fiery South Korean missile crash 'thought it was a war' (Reuters).

B-1 Bomber And A KC-135 Tanker Made Emergency Landings On Guam And In Japan After Refueling Accident

KC-135 Boom-Down Emergency Landing Was Result Of Incident With B-1 © Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly O'Connor  

Warzone/The Drive: KC-135 Boom-Down Emergency Landing Was Result Of Incident With B-1 

A B-1 bomber and a KC-135 tanker made emergency landings on Guam and in Japan after a refueling incident high over the Pacific. 

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that an incident on Saturday that left a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker with its boom broken and prompted an emergency landing at Yokota Air Base in Japan, also forced a B-1B bomber to divert to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. Both aircraft were able to get on the ground safely at the respective bases and there were no reported injuries as a result of the incident.  

Read more ....  

Update: B-1 bomber diverts to Guam after air refueling incident, Pacific Air Forces says (Stars and Stripes)  

WNU Editor: That must have been quite an "incident".

U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet Jet Blown Off Carrier Harry S. Truman During Rough Weather In The Mediterranean Sea

The USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier is based in Naples and is on an extended deployment due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24  

Daily Mail: Multi-million-dollar Super Hornet fighter jet like the one Tom Cruise flies in Top Gun: Maverick is blown off deck of USS Harry S Truman into the sea after unprecedented winds whip up in the Mediterranean 

* The US Navy jet was onboard the USS Harry Truman when wind blew it off deck 

* The aircraft is the same one that was flown by Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick 

* The carrier is based in Naples and is on extended deployment due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine 

A Super Hornet fighter jet similar to the one which is featured in Top Gun: Maverick was blown off an aircraft carrier into the sea. 

The US Navy's F/A-18 was onboard the USS Harry Truman when strong winds in the Mediterranean blew the $66.9million fighter off of the deck and into the sea. 

The aircraft is the same model to the ones that were flown by the likes of Tom Cruise in the recent blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: How did this happen?!?!?! 

It looks like there is going to be an attempt to retrieve the F/A-18 .... Navy Weighing Recovery of Super Hornet Lost in Mediterranean Sea (USNI News). 

U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet Jet Blown Off Carrier Harry S. Truman During Rough Weather In The Mediterranean Sea  

Super Hornet jet blown off carrier Harry S. Truman during rough weather -- Navy Times 

U.S. Navy Fighter Jet Blown Off Aircraft Carrier Into Mediterranean Sea -- Newsweek  

Navy says F/A-18 Super Hornet fell off USS Harry S. Truman after 'unexpected heavy weather' -- FOX News  

Fighter Jet Blown Off Carrier Deck in Unexpected Heavy Weather -- Military.com  

Super Hornet jet blown off carrier Harry S. Truman during rough weather -- Military Times

U.S. Military Plane Carrying Nuclear Material Has Crashed In Southern California

Daily Mail: 'Five people presumed dead after military aircraft carrying nuclear material' crashes in California 

* The crash happened near Glamis, 30 miles north of the Mexican border and 150 miles east of San Diego 

* Five people were on board and all are presumed dead, according to FOX 5 reporter Malik Earnest 

* It is unclear what type of aircraft it was, and from which base it was operating 

A military aircraft carrying nuclear material has crashed in California, leaving officials to believe all five passengers are dead. 

The plane crashed in Imperial County near Highway 78 and the town of Glamis - 30 miles north of the Mexican border, and 150 miles east of San Diego. 

The crash was confirmed by Naval Air Facility El Centro, 30 miles from the crash site.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is a breaking news story. 

 U.S. Military Plane Carrying Nuclear Material Has Crashed In Southern California  

Marine Corps Aircraft Has Crashed Near El Centro In Southern California (Updated) -- The Warzone  

Military plane crash - live: Four reported dead in California after aircraft goes down -- The Independent  

Military aircraft ‘carrying nuclear material crashes, killing five people’ -- Metro  

US military plane crash: Four dead as flight carrying nuclear material wrecks near highway -- Express  

Military aircraft crashes in Imperial County, California -- FOX 11 Los Angeles  

US military plane crashes in California – reports -- RT

2 Hurt In Explosion During Test Aboard USS Louisiana At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Two people were injured after an explosion on the USS Louisiana at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on Saturday  

Daily Mail: Two sailors hurt after explosion caused by rapid depressurization aboard the Navy's USS Louisiana ballistic-missile submarine: Authorities say problems arose during 'routine' test of the ship's air system 

* Two people were injured after an explosion on the USS Louisiana at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard near Seattle on Saturday * Several people from the nearby town of Bremerton said they heard a loud boom 

* The explosion happened at midday just as a routine compartment air test was being conducted 

* Two people suffered injuries during the test and were taken to hospital 

* Their injuries are not considered life-threatening 

Two people were taken to the hospital after an explosion aboard a docked U.S. Navy vessel in Washington state Saturday. 

The incident occurred on the Navy's USS Louisiana ballistic-missile submarine while it was stationed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard near Seattle, and saw two people taken to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries. 

Military authorities said the explosion was the result of rapid depressurization in one of the ship's cabins during a 'routine' test of the vessel's air system.  

Read more .... 

2 Hurt In Explosion During Test Aboard USS Louisiana At Puget Sound Naval Shipyard  

2 Injured in US Naval Submarine Accident in Washington State -- AP  

2 hurt during test aboard USS Louisiana at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard -- Kitsap Sun  

Two sailors reportedly injured in accident on docked nuclear submarine -- NYPost

4 US Marines Killed In Osprey Crashed During NATO Exercise In Norway

A US Marines Osprey aircraft similar to this one crashed in Norway killing four soldiers on board.  

Daily Mail: 'No sign of life' after military helicopter carrying four Americans crashes in Arctic Norway during NATO 'cold response' training exercise 

* A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey has crashed into the Artic Norway on Friday 

* Authorities report that four crew members were on board when it went down 

* Norwegian officials said there was no sign of life as they go through the wreckage amid bad weather conditions in the area 

* About 3,000 U.S. Marines are currently in Norway for a NATO training exercise that takes place near the Arctic every two years 

Norwegian officials said there were no signs of life after a military helicopter carrying four American crashed in the Artic Norway on Friday during a NATO training exercise. 

The MV-22B Osprey aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps was taking part in a NATO military exercise called Cold Response when it was reported missing at 6:26 p.m., the Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCC) said. 

A rescue helicopter and a Norwegian military Orion plane searching the area spotted the wreckage from the air at 8:17 p.m. after receiving an emergency signal.  

Read more .... 

4 US Marines Killed In Osprey Crashed During NATO Exercise In Norway  

Norwegian Officials Say Four Found Dead at MV-22B Crash Site in Arctic Norway -- USNI News  

4 United States Marines killed in Osprey crash, Norway confirms -- Marine Times  

Four Americans die as military aircraft crashes in Norway -- CNBC/Reuters  

US Marine Corps aircraft with 4 aboard crashes in Norway during NATO exercise: No survivors -- FOX News 

4 American Marines killed during NATO exercise in Norway; unrelated to conflict in Ukraine -- USA Today

 4 US service members killed after aircraft crashes in Norway, PM says -- CNN  

4 US Marines killed in Osprey aircraft crash during training in Norway -- ABC News  

Four US soldiers killed in Osprey crash during NATO exercise -- DW  

4 Americans killed during NATO training exercise -- Axios

U.S. In A Race To Beat China To Recover $100m US F-35 Stealth Fighter After It Crash Landed On The Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson And Subsequently 'Fell' Into The South China Sea

Sailors taxi an F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the 'Argonauts' of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson on January 22  

Daily Mail: Race to beat China to recover $100m US F-35 stealth fighter from bottom of South China Sea after it crash landed on aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson: Fears secret technology from America's most advanced jet could fall into enemy hands 

* The USS Carl Vinson on Monday suffered a 'landing mishap' with F-35C warplane 

* The Navy said the stealth fighter 'subsequently fell to the water' 

* It is packed with the latest technology and advances in radar-deflecting design 

* The ship is currently in the South China Sea, taking part in exercises 

* The pilot of the F-35 ejected safely and was rescued by helicopter 

* Seven were injured: three required evacuation to a medical facility in Manila 

The U.S. faces a race to beat China in recovering an F-35 stealth fighter that plunged into the South China Sea on Monday after what the Navy termed a 'landing mishap' aboard the USS Carl Vinson. 

The pilot was forced to eject and seven military personnel in total were injured.

The $100m warplane, customised for naval operations, plunged overboard, the US 7th Fleet said - making it the second time in three months that an F-35 has been lost overboard.  

Read more ....  

Update: Navy Exploring Options For Recovering F-35C That Fell Into The South China Sea (Warzone/The Drive)  

WNU Editor: This accident happened in China's backyard. 

I am also willing to bet that the Chinese have a very good idea on where this F-35C Lightning II fighter is resting on the ocean floor. They are certainly bragging about the accident .... F-35C’s crash on carrier in S.China Sea exposes US exhaustion in containing China: experts (Global Times). 

Previous Post: Pilot Ejects After F-35 Lightning II ‘Landing Mishap’ On USS Carl Vinson In South China Sea. Seven Sailors Injured

Pilot Ejects After F-35 Lightning II ‘Landing Mishap’ On USS Carl Vinson In South China Sea. Seven Sailors Injured

An F-35C Lightning II taxis on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in October 2021. US Navy 

 Warzone/The Drive: F-35C Accident Aboard Carrier In South China Sea Forces Pilot To Eject, Injures Seven Sailors (Updated) 

The fate of the F-35C, which was involved in a "landing mishap" while operating from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, is unclear. 

An F-35C Joint Strike Fighter was involved in a mishap today while landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which is currently operating in the South China Sea. The pilot ejected from the aircraft and is in a stable condition, while seven other sailors aboard the ship were injured as a result of the accident. The fate of the aircraft is uncertain. USNI News was the first to report on this incident, citing a U.S. Navy release. 

That release also said that of the seven injured sailors, four received treatment aboard the Carl Vinson, while three were evacuated to a medical facility in Manila in the Philippines. Three of the injured individuals onboard the carrier have already been released, while the status of the fourth is unclear. All three personnel in the Philippines are presently in stable condition.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: This must have been a bad crash with extensive damage.

Pilot Ejects After F-35 Lightning II ‘Landing Mishap’ On USS Carl Vinson In South China Sea  

Seven sailors injured in ‘landing mishap’ aboard carrier Carl Vinson -- Navy Times  

US F-35 pilot ejects, 7 hurt in South China Sea 'landing mishap' -- Asia One/Reuters 

7 injured after F-35 jet crashes on aircraft carrier in South China Sea -- CNN 

Pilot Ejects After F-35 Lightning II ‘Landing Mishap’ on USS Carl Vinson in South China Sea -- USNI News  

Navy fighter jet crashes during carrier landing in South China Sea -- ABC News 

Pilot forced to bail out of F-35 stealth jet after 'landing mishap' on US Navy aircraft carrier in South China Sea -- Business Insider  

Sailors injured after US fighter jet botches landing near China -- RT

2 U.S. Marines Killed, & Injured In Military Vehicle Rollover Accident In North Carolina

 

Daily Mail: Two US marines are killed and two others are critically injured after military truck crashes on highway in North Carolina 

* At least two Marines have been killed and two others have been critically injured after a military truck crashed in North Carolina on Wednesday 

* The military truck had 19 men inside before the vehicle flipped over at the intersection of US 17 and Highway 210 between Verona and Holly Ridge 

* A medical helicopter was called to the scene to transport the two injured soldiers to the hospital 

* The soldiers had been assigned to the 2nd Marines Logistics Group which is based at Camp Lejeune 

At least two Marines have been killed and two others have been injured after a military truck crashed in North Carolina on Wednesday. 

The crash took place around 1pm at the intersection of US 17 and Highway 210 between Verona and Holly Ridge, according to WECT. 

The truck with the 19 Marines was making a right turn onto US 17 before they lost control and overturned. They were then thrown from the vehicle.  

Read more .... 

 2 U.S. Marines Killed, & Injured In Military Vehicle Rollover Accident In North Carolina  

North Carolina military vehicle crash kills 2 Marines, injures others: Highway Patrol -- FOX News  

2 Marines killed, 2 injured in military vehicle rollover accident in North Carolina -- USA Today 

2 Marines killed, 2 injured in rollover crash near Camp Lejeune -- ABC News  

Two Marines dead and several injured after military truck going ‘too fast’ overturns -- The Independent  

Marines report 'multiple casualties' in military vehicle crash near Camp Lejeune -- The Hill

Commander Of US Seal Team 8 Killed In Training Accident At Virginia Beach

Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, the commanding officer of SEAL Team 8, died Tuesday following injuries sustained in a training accident last week. (Navy)  

Daily Mail: PICTURED: The hero commander of Seal Team 8 killed in training accident at Virginia Beach after falling from helicopter and suffering fatal injury during 'fast rope' training exercise: Victim, 43, was married dad of five 

* Navy officials confirmed that 43-year-old Cmdr. Brian Michael Bourgeois died on Tuesday after falling and suffering a fatal injury during fast-rope training 

* Bourgeoi succumbed to his injuries at Norfolk Sentara General Hospital three days after his accident at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach 

* A Navy spokeswoman said there is an ongoing command and safety investigation and findings will be made public 'at the appropriate time,' 

* According to a GoFundMe set up in the commander's honor that has raised nearly $6,000 Bourgeois leaves behind a wife and five children 

* Bourgeois made commander in 2017 and joined SEAL Team 8 in November 2020 

The Navy Seal killed during a fast-rope training accident at a Virginia Beach base last week has been identified as the commanding officer of Seal Team 8. Navy officials confirmed that 43-year-old Cmdr. Brian Michael Bourgeois died on Tuesday after falling and suffering a fatal injury during a fast-rope training event from a helicopter on Saturday. 

Bourgeois was a married father of five. Bourgeois, who was assigned to the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, succumbed to his injuries at Norfolk Sentara General Hospital three days after his accident, Navytimes.com reported. 

 Read more ....  

Update #1: SEAL Team 8 commander died Tuesday following training accident (Navy Times)  

Update #2: Navy SEAL who died following training incident was commander of SEAL Team 8 (Task & Purpose)  

Update #3: SEAL Team 8 CO Dies in East Coast Training Incident (USNI News)  

WNU editor: Apparently it was a fast-rope training accident.

Wreck Of A Crashed British F-35 In The Mediterranean Has Been Recovered

 

Warzone/The Drive: The Wreck Of A Crashed British F-35 Has Been Pulled Out Of The Mediterranean 

The U.K. Ministry of Defense says the remains of the jet have been successfully recovered, ending concerns that they could become security risks. 

The U.K. Ministry of Defense says that the wreckage of a Royal Air Force F-35B Joint Strike Fighter that crashed into the Mediterranean Sea shortly after taking off from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth last month has been recovered. Successfully locating the remains of the aircraft and retrieving them had been a top priority given the operational security risks that would have been posed if any part of the plane had fallen into the hands of a less than friendly country, such as Russia. 

“Operations to recover the UK F-35 in the Mediterranean Sea have successfully concluded” and “there is no danger or compromise to sensitive equipment on the aircraft," a statement from the Ministry of Defense said, which was posted by The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom. That outlet said that it had taken two weeks to locate the wreck on the seafloor and then another week to successfully bring it up to the surface.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The sailor who allegedly leaked the above video has been arrested .... F-35 fighter jet: Wreckage of aircraft that plunged into the Mediterranean recovered and sailor arrested for allegedly leaking footage (SKY News).

U.S. Navy Sending Salvage Ship And Crew To The Mediterranean To Help Recover Crashed British F-35B

An F35B Lightning II pilots prepared to take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth (R-08) on Aug. 14, 2021. UK Royal Navy Photo  

USNI New: U.S. Navy Sending Salvage Ship, Crew To Help Recover Crashed British F-35B 

The U.S. Navy is helping the United Kingdom recover its F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter that crashed in the Mediterranean last week. 

A U.K. government spokesperson confirmed to USNI News that the U.S. Navy is dispatching a ship and crew to help with the deep salvage mission. Naval Sea Systems Command did not immediately respond to an inquiry from USNI News about the ship and crew aiding the mission. 

Italy is also assisting with the mission and the aircraft has not yet been recovered, USNI News understands.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It looks like they know where the F-35 is, but they need the means to lift it out of the water.

Did A Cheap Plastic Rain Cover Cause A UK F-35 To Crash In The Mediterranean?

A £100million fighter jet crashed because a cheap plastic rain cover was left on during take-off, investigators fear  

Daily Mail: £100m F-35 fighter jet crashed into the Med while taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth because the cheap rain cover hadn't been taken off properly, investigators fear 

* £100m F-35 jet may have crashed because a cheap rain cover was not removed 

* Sailors said they saw the cover floating in the Mediterranean after the accident 

* A race underway to recover the aircraft's sunken wreckage after Sunday's crash 

Investigators fear a £100million F-35 fighter jet crashed into the Mediterranean while taking off because the cheap rain covers had not been taken off properly. 

Officials believe the rain cover was sucked into the F-35B Lightning II stealth plane's engine as it took off from the flight deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, forcing the pilot to eject. 

Naval personnel reported seeing the cover floating in the sea nearby Britain's flagship aircraft carrier after the accident in the Mediterranean on Sunday.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: FLOP GUN! £100million Royal Navy fighter jet crashed ‘because cheap plastic rain cover was left on during take-off’ (The SUN)

Update #2: Culprit in F-35 crash allegedly identified (RT)  

WNU Editor: Efforts to recover the F-35 continue .... UK, US and Nato vow to find missing F-35 jet before Russia (The National).

F-35B From The Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Has Crashed Into The Mediterranean Sea. Pilot Ejected Safely

F-35B Lightning II aircraft are seen on the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth. © Reuters / Yiannis Kourtoglou

A British F35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flying operations in the Mediterranean this morning.

The pilot has been safely returned to the ship and an investigation has begun, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

— Ministry of Defence Press Office (@DefenceHQPress) November 17, 2021

Warzone/The Drive: F-35 From The Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Has Crashed Into The Sea (Updated) 

The incident in the Mediterranean is the first F-35 loss of any kind during carrier operations. 

The U.K. Ministry of Defense has confirmed that an F-35B Lightning stealth jet that was operating from the Royal Navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, currently underway in the eastern Mediterranean, crashed into the sea earlier today, soon after takeoff. Details are still limited, but the British pilot was able to eject safely and has been returned to the ship. The aircraft carrier is on its maiden operational cruise and this is the first loss of a Joint Strike Fighter while operating from the deck of an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship.

Read more .... 

F-35B From The Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Has Crashed Into The Mediterranean Sea 

UPDATED: U.K. F-35B from Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth Crashes in Mediterranean, Pilot Recovered -- USNI News  

Pilot ejects as British F35 stealth jet from flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth air carrier crashes into the Mediterranean -- SKY News  

British F-35 jet crashes into Mediterranean -- The Guardian  

A pilot flying off Britain's flagship aircraft carrier was forced to bail out of an F-35 stealth fighter in the Mediterranean -- Business Insider  

British F-35 jet crashes into Mediterranean – MoD -- RT

US Sent 'Nuke Sniffer' And 'Spy Planes' To South China Sea A Month After USS Connecticut Submarine Collision

Aircraft: Boeing WC-135W Constant Phoenix

Five US reconnaissance aircraft operate over the #SouthChinaSea, Oct 31:
USAF WC-135W #AE0941, E-8C #AE1497
USN 2*P-8As #AE685B #AE6857, EP-3E #AE1D95.
Among which WC-135W "Nuke Sniffer" is a rare guest to the region, whose last operation could be traced back to January 2020. pic.twitter.com/61ewpvZT1p

— SCS Probing Initiative (@SCS_PI) October 31, 2021

IBTimes: US Sent 'Nuke Sniffer' Plane To South China Sea A Month After Submarine Collision, Satellite Data Shows 

US special-purpose aircraft the Constant Phoenix may have been in the South China Sea region to examine radioactive material, military experts said, after a Beijing-based think tank cited satellite images to report five American reconnaissance planes operating in the area at the weekend. 

This comes a month after a US Navy nuclear submarine hit an unidentified object while submerged in international waters in the South China Sea, prompting China to express serious concerns about a “nuclear leak”.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US spy planes over South China Sea likely surveyed nuclear fallout of sub collision, observers say (SCMP)  

Update #2: US 'nuke sniffer' plane flies over South China Sea: Report (WION)  

WNU Editor: It looks like the Pentagon is searching for something with a nuclear signature.