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ruet

(10,261 posts)
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 12:31 PM 6 hrs ago

US F-35 Damaged by Suspected Iranian Fire Makes Emergency Landing, Sources Say

Source: CNN

A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing. Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation.

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”

The incident would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the war started in late February. Both the US and Israel are flying F-35s in the conflict; the aircraft costs upwards of $100 million.



Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/f-35-damage-iran-war



We've degraded their AA so much they are shooting down our 2nd best stealth fighter. Bravo!

https://packaged-media.redd.it/e0pnaqqw01qg1/pb/m2-res_262p.mp4?m=DASHPlaylist.mpd&var=sgpssan&v=1&e=1773954000&s=547d8d3fc9e8f00a2b62ff987b838c31705e51a5

I cannot verify the veracity of that video.
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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US F-35 Damaged by Suspected Iranian Fire Makes Emergency Landing, Sources Say (Original Post) ruet 6 hrs ago OP
Landing at an American air base is not being "shot down". Nt FBaggins 6 hrs ago #1
Fair Enough. -NT- ruet 6 hrs ago #2
It's known as the golden bb EX500rider 6 hrs ago #3
Does that include all of the Reapers they've been shooting down? -NT- ruet 6 hrs ago #7
How many is that & according to who exactly? EX500rider 4 hrs ago #8
12+ The DOD. ruet 4 hrs ago #9
They're leeeeeeeaaaarning Prairie Gates 6 hrs ago #4
US F-35 Damaged by Suspected Iranian Fire Makes Emergency Landing, Sources Say naftali 6 hrs ago #5
These aircraft have never been tested in Deminpenn 6 hrs ago #6
This explains how Trump gave hostile nations a great guft orangecrush 9 min ago #10

EX500rider

(12,527 posts)
3. It's known as the golden bb
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 01:00 PM
6 hrs ago

Fire enough stuff in the air and eventually you'll accidentally hit something

EX500rider

(12,527 posts)
8. How many is that & according to who exactly?
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 03:04 PM
4 hrs ago

No doubt some have but I doubt the US is issuing any numbers and I wouldn't trust Iran's...ymmv

ruet

(10,261 posts)
9. 12+ The DOD.
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 03:14 PM
4 hrs ago

To be as accurate as possible, things as they are, that includes some that have been hit by Iranian ordinance while on the ground.

Prairie Gates

(8,052 posts)
4. They're leeeeeeeaaaarning
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 01:09 PM
6 hrs ago

Hitting a jet is theoretical until you have to do it.

It took the Iraqi resistance months to figure out how to properly ambush American convoys, but, boy, once they figured it out, it was off to the races.

naftali

(19 posts)
5. US F-35 Damaged by Suspected Iranian Fire Makes Emergency Landing, Sources Say
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 01:10 PM
6 hrs ago

Reports of a U.S. F-35 making an emergency landing after suspected Iranian fire are deeply concerning and highlight how quickly regional tensions can escalate. If confirmed, this would mark a serious development with potential global implications.

Deminpenn

(17,458 posts)
6. These aircraft have never been tested in
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 01:10 PM
6 hrs ago

actual combat against a determined, well-armed enemy. No one really knows how the planes will perform.

I recall back when Reagan was president, two F14s engaged with 2 Libyan Russian made fighter jets and shot them down. At my command the general reaction was, "they work!".

orangecrush

(30,112 posts)
10. This explains how Trump gave hostile nations a great guft
Thu Mar 19, 2026, 07:18 PM
9 min ago

Iran is saying it got a signature of the F-35 IRST.

This means the F-35 will be forced to fly defensively and is for all practical purposes no longer stealth.

My take, your mileage may differ.


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