U.S. F-35 sustains combat damage, but is the video real?
By Easton Martin | March 19, 2026
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet made an emergency landing at a regional military installation on Thursday. The aircraft sustained damage during a mission over Iranian territory, with U.S. Central Command confirming the incident occurred during the early hours of March 19.
Capt. Tim Hawkins stated that the aircraft diverted after the engagement, and that the aircraft landed safely. The pilot is currently in stable condition. Officials have not specified the exact nature of the damage, nor have they confirmed if ground-based fire struck the jet. An investigation into the cause is currently underway.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for a strike, with Iranian state media asserting that their air defense systems engaged the stealth fighter over central Iran. Local media outlets are circulating thermal camera footage of a missile intercepting a target, but these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
The U.S. account confirms that both the pilot and the platform were recovered. This incident is the first known instance of an F-35 sustaining combat damage during an operational mission.
