US F-35 Stealth Fighter Damaged in Combat Mission Over Iran

A Pentagon spokesperson says the aircraft made an emergency landing. The incident is under investigation.

A U.S. Air Force F-35 takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo

A U.S. F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet was damaged during combat operations over Iran on March 19 but was able to safely land.

“We are aware of reports that a U.S. F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional U.S airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, said in a prepared statement to The Epoch Times.