Israel grounds 11 F-35I stealth jets after US F-35B crash at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth

Israel grounds 11 F-35I stealth jets after US F-35B crash at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth

By Dario Leone
Dec 27 2022
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Israel has 33 F-35I stealth jets delivered so far and they are assigned to the 116th Lions of the South Squadron and the 140th Golden Eagle Squadron.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) reported on Dec. 25, 2022 that following the crash of a US F-35B fighter jet in Texas earlier this month, and the recommendation of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO), 11 Israeli F-35I fighter jets will be grounded, Ynetnews reports.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the findings and data collected from the crash, suggest the jets must undergo a dedicated inspection to rule out the possibility of a similar malfunction in the Israeli system.

“The IAF will analyze the findings from the incident and will draw conclusions and recommendations for the safe return of the aircraft to operational duty,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit added.

F-35A print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-35A Lightning II 56th OG, 61st FS, LF/12-5050 / 2014

As already reported, the incident that prompted the Israeli review, took place at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 15, 2022. The pilot ejected safely. The plane had not yet been transferred to the US government.

Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-35B for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Lockheed Martin’s final assembly plant for the F-35 shares a runway with Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. As part of the test flight for the F-35Bs – which is known for its ability to have a short takeoff and vertical landing – pilots will take the aircraft up to test its ability to hover.

All planes ordered by IAF belong to the F-35A variant named F-35I Adir (Mighty) in Israel.

According to Alert 5, Israel has 33 F-35Is delivered so far and they are assigned to the 116th Lions of the South Squadron and the 140th Golden Eagle Squadron.

Photo credit: David Azagury U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv via Wikipedia

Lockheed F-35 Lightning II model
This model is available in multiple sizes from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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