A $80 million F-35 jet went missing and US military wants you to find it

A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in the United States as military officials now seek public assistance in locating a missing F-35 Lightning II jet valued at $80 million.

What

According to a CNN report, a US fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning II vanished on Sunday (September 17), after its pilot was forced to eject mid-air due to a training mishap. The search for this high-value aircraft is ongoing, with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter recently joining the search operation.

However, a perplexing development emerged when Joint Base Charleston appealed for local residents' help through online posts on Sunday. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, in a strong response, questioned the absence of a tracking device on this multimillion-dollar fighter jet.

Where did the jet go missing?

The search for the missing F-35 Lightning II jet is primarily concentrated around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, both located north of North Charleston, where the pilot ejected.

After ejecting from the jet and deploying a parachute in the Charleston neighborhood, the pilot (whose name remains undisclosed) was promptly transported to a local hospital, where they were determined to be in stable condition.

US Congresswoman questions military credibility

South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace reacted with strong criticism to the news of the missing jet. She questioned whether the F-35 was equipped with a tracking system and how it was possible for the public to spot such an advanced military aircraft.

How can the public assist in the jet's search?

In line with Congresswoman Nancy Mace's comments, the internet is abuzz with inquiries about how individuals can contribute to the search for the missing jet. Memes and tweets poking fun at the US Military's call for public assistance have inundated social media platforms.