Japan to deploy its first F-35A Stealth Fighter at Misawa Air Base this month

JASDF F-35A Stealth Fighter goes missing over the Pacific Ocean

By Dario Leone
Apr 9 2019
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The F-35A stealth fighter was on a training flight 135km away from Misawa Air Base.

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter has gone missing after taking off from Misawa Air Base on Apr. 9, 2019 at 7:27pm local time.

“It disappeared from radars,” a JASDF spokesman.

Japanese national broadcaster NHK reported that the stealth fighter was on a training flight 135km away from the base. It was flying over water then. The Maritime Self-Defense Force, Coast Guard have dispatched aircraft and ships to conduct search for the missing pilot.

JASDF F-35A Stealth Fighter goes missing over the Pacific Ocean
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

Ten F-35As were delivered to Misawa Air Base last year.

Tokyo ordered a total of 42 F-35As in late 2011, with the existing order updated to include 63 more F-35As and 42 F-35Bs by late 2018, with Japan becoming the second-largest buyer of Lockheed Martin’s fifth generation stealth fighter.

JASDF F-35A Stealth Fighter goes missing over the Pacific Ocean
This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

Photo credit: Lockheed Martin

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


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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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