Marine Corps F-35B crashes in South Carolina

By Justin Katz / September 28, 2018 at 3:01 PM

A Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighter crashed today in South Carolina, the service confirmed, one day after the Defense Department announced the aircraft's combat debut in the Middle East.

"A 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing F-35B belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina at approximately 11:45 a.m." today, a statement from the Marine Corps reads.

The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft, and there were no civilian injuries, according to the statement.

Yesterday, the service announced the F-35B conducted its first combat strikes in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

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